am sometimes so ashamed at my being born a Slave that were my Fetters such as could be broken it should not be long before I would break them Oh Sister replied the Princess doubtless you know not what you say for methinks our Sex hath a thousand advantages above that of Men for first it injoys an eternal peace since we are not obliged to go unto the Wars and the same honour which invites Men unto it forbids us Beauty as the Prince of Ameriola well observed is our supreme Prerogative we have the destinies of Men in our hands Also we are dispenced with for taking the pains in obtaining the Arts and Sciences ignorance in us is no fault there is no necessity of being valiant a little wit and much modesty will serve to make a complete Woman but on the contrary to make a complete Man there must be a thousand great qualifications both natural and acquired It is confessed replied Tarquin that there is much wit in your language but for all that I am of the Princess Tullia's mind and had rather be a private Souldier then any Woman For to tell you truly a Souldier may become a King but a Woman can never become free I pray tell me said the Princess Tullia in what condition can we find liberty When we are first born we are not only Slaves to our Parents who dispose of us as they please and make Vestals of us when fancy takes them but we are slaves also unto custom and decency for as soon as reason begins to make us discern things they tell us that we must submit our selves unto the custom and fashion Also we are more miserable at Rome than any where else where the Ladies have a fancy that because the Romans are more valiant than other people therefore their women must be more severe more reserved more ignorant and more solitary it is true as my Sister said that a few good qualities will serve one of our Sex to get much reputation but it is as true also that this is an infinite shame unto us for it is as much as to say that we are not capable of more Oh Madam replied the Prince of Ameriola I must needs be the defender of your Sex against you for I am fully perswaded that Ladies are capable of all the virtues and that they have more wit than we For if we do carefully observe both men and women in places where their education is alike as in the Country we shall find much more wit in the women than in the men and conclude that Nature hath given more unto you than us I do grant all this to be true replied Tullia and to speak in general we have better fancies and fuller of imagination than men but it must be confessed withal that we do want courage and hearts we are contented to be the chief Slave of the house and oftentimes worse used Nay we have not so much liberty as to make choice of our Masters for we are oftentimes forced to marry against our inclinations and it is commonly seen that all the great wit which the Gods have given us is employed only in trivial talk and those who are most esteemed amongst us do make least use of their wit but conceal it as careful as they can and endeavour to be owner of only one virtue which in my opinion is very difficult to be practised Mean time because the world hath a fancy that women are weak aad that they are put to a great deal of pains to keep themselves from loving those who love them they are forced to live with so much constraint and wariness as in my opinion this vertue which is thought so requisite amongst them is no great glory to them Truth is they must set a guard upon their own eyes they must shun the company of those men they like and they must not go any whither alone Lying abroad is forbidden us solitude it self is sometimes ill interpreted and we are so unfortunate that when it is not known what we do they think we are doing ill and we must always have some body to answer for our actions or else they will be ill interpreted So that as the world goes we are born with passions which inchain us for we are not allowed either to love or hate any thing Ambition is unto us of no use obedience only is our share judge therefore whether I have not reason to chuse rather the being a valiant Soldier than what I am and I assure you there is not a day passeth in which I do not envy the Sex of which I am none When I see a man walking alone I envy his liberty when others travel my envy goes along with them also nay some that are angry and can revenge themselves have my envy for men may revenge but women be they never so much wronged must not complain or if they do it must forsooth be so tamely that their complexion must not alter nor their eyes lose their languor as if nature had made us insensible and all by vertue of the Laws of Decency which I assure you I cannot chuse but murmur against and those that made them For my particular replied the Princess I do think my self very happy in the calm mediocrity of my spirit and I find that my Sex hath a thousand advantages over the other since of the virtues the least difficult are required from us and I do find it much more glorious to Reign without force than by violence and that it is the easiest thing in the world to submit ones spirit in matter of Decency It is unquestionable that Ambition is not a passion fit for Ladies but it is a passion so full of tumultuous turbulencies that I think it a great advantage to be without it As every one loves to be arguing according to their own humours replied Tullia sharply so I do not think it strange we should not be of one opinion For as you Sister do find diversion in walking under shades in gathering of flowers in making Nosegays in hearing the birds sing and listning to the murmur of Rivers so I am often tired with that which diverts you The Princess being accustomed to indure a hundred such contradictions from her ambitious sister she turned her discourse another way lest Tullia should have uttered more then she desired to hear for she was accqnainted with the impetuosity of her humour So as insensibly falling upon other discourse they began to talk of Passions and to examine whether Love was a more Noble Passion than ambition and in case both chanced to be in one heart one of them must yield unto the other So as since this question had some congruity with the Fortunes of these four persons because Tarquin was in love with Tullia yet his Ambition required that he should marry the Princess her Sister rather then her and on the other side the Princess loved the Prince of Ameriola yet ambition and conveniency
the Sun was risen that there was arrived an hurt Stranger at the Castle he heard it from Sycanus his Wife which was called Aurelia and who demanded of him when she gave him a Visit if he was accommodated in the Apartment they had given him because it look'd over a little Port where there was alway some noyse for in fine said she obligingly to him as the Protector of the Prince Mezentius may command some priviledge if you are disturbed in that place where you are we will give you another Lodging when we dislodge the other Stranger the gods have sent hither to be succoured as well as you what Madam replied Aronces is there arrived any more unhappy than I yes Generous unknown replied Aurelia and he is more unhappy than you because his hurts are more dangerous O Madam replied Aronces he may be more hurt than I but he cannot be more unhappy as Aronces had thus said Celeres came into his Chamber to tell him that the Prince of Numidia was in the Castle and that he had heard by one of his men that he was wounded fighting against Horatius who had stollen away Clelia I beseech you Madam said Aronces addressing his Speech to Aurelia permit me I pray you to deprive my self of the honour of your presence that I may go to the Prince of Numidia's Chamber to whom I am very much obliged and from whom I may happily learn something which imports me more than you can imagine you are in such a bad condition to go replied Aurelia that I believe you ought not to enterprise it without the permission of your Chirurgeons O Madam replied Aronces if you knew the Interest I have to see the Prince of Numidia you would then be assured that I ought to consult none but my heart in this incounter after that Aurelia affectively hearing that Aronces would go to the Prince of Numidia's Lodging went to that of the Princess of the Leontines whom divers Interests did at this time retain in that Castle but she went not thither before she had told Celeres that it was for him to perswade Aronces not to destroy the cure she had resolved to have for the welfare of a man which had saved the life of the Prince Mezentius and who merited if no reason had invited us thereto that we should interess our selves both in his safety and recovery Celeres according to her directions would have induced Aronces to have sent him to the Numidian Prince who was named Adherball to demand of him what he knew of Clelia but 't was impossible for him to divert his intended resolution for after he was drest and had advertised the Prince of his coming he went thither leaning on two Slaves he was scarce come into the Prince his Chamber when he said to him pardon me Sir if the ardent desire I have to be satisfied by you what is become of Clelia and her Ravisher against whom I saw you yesterday fight on the Lake hinders me from giving you new demonstrations of that friendship we contracted at Carthage Alas my dear Aronces replied Adherball sighing the Ravisher of Clelia after he had reduced me to the estate in which you now see me caused his men to row so diligently that I soon lost sight of him for my men seeing me hurt would not obey me when I commanded them to follow Horatius with all the speed they could possible and they took more care for the preservation of my life than the performance of my commands though they have exposed my life it may be to more danger by not obeying them for in fine my dear Aronces now that I am in a place where no reasons oblige me to disguise my thoughts I have loved Clelia since I first saw her at Carthage and the commencement of our friendship proceeded from my love to her imagining that if I should acquire your esteem it might much conduce to the furtherance of my affection Aronces was surprised at Adherbal's expressions and finding him to be his Rival whom he only supposed his friend he changed colour on a sudden which Adherball who did not know that Aronces loved Clelia attributed to his friendship not any way suspecting his love so that obligingly resuming his discourse I must ingenuously confess said he that after I had the happiness to be acquainted with you if I had not loved Clelia I should have esteemed Aronces whose great merits command respect from all those which know him it appears by your words replied Aronces that you do not well know me and I am perswaded if you knew me better you would be of a contrary opinion but as we are both in a condition not to give any great testimonies either of love or hatred what thoughts soever sways our Soul I think I had best leave you in repose and retire my self and after Aronces had saluted Adherball with a more reserved Civility than before he returned to his Chamber in such a despair as evidenced the greatness of his affliction he was no sooner in his bed but Sycanus brought him a Noble man called Cilicies whom Mezentius had sent to him with Complements both from himself and the Princess Aretale his Wife so that Aronces being necessarily obliged to conceal his grief both from Sycanus and Cilicies desired them to inform him who were those which would have assassinated Mezentius though you are a Stranger replied he which was sent from the Perusian Prince it is not possible but you have heard ere you arrived at the Thrasymenean Lake that Porsenna King of Chusuim and the Queen his Wife have been retained Prisoners there these three and twenty years by the Prince Mezentius his Father-in-Law therefore without particularizing the cause of their long Imprisonment I shall tell you in few words that a Noble man called Thrachon Native Subject of that unhappy King being perswaded that it was lawful to act all manner of Crimes to deliver an Innocent Prince had laid an Ambuscado in the Wood where he obliged Mezentius to hunt leading him from his men till he was to come to the place where he had set those which should assail Mezentius who was strangly surprised when he saw him which he thought would defend him put himself at the head of those Assassinats and assault him and Mezentius now believes contrary to the opinion of all that Porsenna was acquainted with this Conspiracy which plotted against him so that all those which interess themselves in the life of this great Prince fear some violence will be acted against his Person is it possible he should so ill requite the care the gods have had for the conservation of his life replied Aronces as to put to death an innocent man and if I was in estate to go to demand of him any recompence for the service I have done him I should intreat him to limit his resentments and to do me likewise the favour as to command some of his men to inform him of one called
is one whom all true Romans wish destroyed and all vertuous people abhor You speak reason indeed replied Aronces but when all is done Clelia is still in captivity under an unmerciful Tyrant who is in love with her I live concealed in Rome not being able to do any thing but bemoan my self and give orders Clelia's liberty is uncertain the effect of the conspiracy is very doubtful and supposing Clelia were out of Rome we were still equally miserable for what part of the earth would afford us Sanctuary since we neither know where Clelius is nor where Sulpitius may be and that the Prince of Numidia who could inform us continues still in his madness But all things considered might it please the Gods I could but see Clelia once out of Tarquin's power for could I but see her at liberty and might but once more cast my self at her feet and protest that I die for love of her I should render fortune thanks and acknowledge my self more obliged to you than ever I was to any man But while Aronces was thus distracted between hope and fear while Amilcar employed all his wits to serve him while the Prince of Numidia was in some danger of death while Brutus Herminius Valerius and their friends plotted secretly in Rome to make some insurrection which might Usher in the liberty of their Country while Artemidorus Zenocrates and Celeres were ready to hazard their persons in any thing wherein they might serve Aronces while Mutius who still continued his addresses to Valeria divided his heart between the love of her and that of glory Horatius was in an incredible disturbance at Ardea having understood by some spies that Clelia was in Tarquin's power that this Tyrant was faln in love with her that the Prince of Numidia had endeavoured to deliver her and that it was not known where Aronces was If he had durst he would have come disguised out of Ardea as Herminius did to see if he could have delivered Clelia but he knew he was so much looked on by the besieged that there was no possibility to do any thing of that nature and all he could do was to carry things so as to oblige the Ardeans to persist in demanding the liberty of the Captives But being withal a person of conduct and experience he easily conceived it was not very likely Tarquin should deliver them up as being one that was obstinate in all his resolutions He therefore could do no more than what he did unless it were to bemoan his fortune whose pleasure it was that at the same time he should be in exile in love ill intreated and obliged to his Rival As for Tarquin he was astonished to hear that it was the Prince of Numidia who had attempted the delivery of Clelia for it was easie to infer thence that this Affrican Prince must needs have a considerable party in Rome to carry on such a design as that However he doubted not when the Siege were over to discover the truth of the business and so for the present spent not his thoughts on any thing so much as how to gain the place by some treaty or if that could not be done take it by storm which way they had not yet attempted For Titus and the Prince of Pometia their minds were rather employed in Love than War and Herminia and Collatina were yet absolute Empresses over their Souls But as concerning Sextus Lucretia was the continual object of his imagination he always saw her even when he saw her not he thought of nothing but her he talked of nothing else he conceived a hope though he knew not what should oblige him to it and his apprehensions were so violent and so distracted that never since it was loves employment to put the senses into rebellion against the mind did he inspire into any one a passion more exorbitant more tyrannical and more fit to overturn all reason than that which had seized his soul Thence it proceeded that he troubled himself not much either at what was done in Rome or passed in the Camp and it took up all his wits to find out means to see Lucretia again While these things were in agitation the Envoy of the King of Clusium staid in expectation though to no purpose to hear some news of Aronces for though there were many persons who could if they had so pleased have acquainted Tarquin where that Prince was as also with the true worth of Brutus and all the Plots that were afoot in Rome nay though there were two women who understood this whole secret and two Maids that knew the greatest part of it yet did it not take the least air that could be For the Interest of the Country being thought at Rome of equal concernment with that Religion there was a greater observance of faith and secrecy in such emergencies than there is elsewhere And for the women who were trusted with the knowledge of a business of so great importance they were not ordinary persons for Racilia Brutus's Aunt she carried about her that generosity which was as it were hereditary to the Family whence she was descended and Sivilia doubtless wanted not those perfections and that greatness of Courage as were requisite to qualifie her for the trust of a thing of such consequence Nor could it otherwise be but that the illustrious Herminius was so well acquainted with her worth that had she not been his Mother he would have made her his Friend For Valeria there need be no more said to give her the greatest commendation that may be than that she was Valerius Daughter Lucretias friend and Herminius's Mistress and for Hermilia there needed no more to distinguish her from the Commonalty of women who can keep nothing secret than to say she was Brutus's Sister Racilias Neece and Valeria's intimate friend 'T is true she was as yet very young and for that reason was she not acquainted with all that was designed against Tarquin and for what she knew besides there was no fear she might discover any thing since she could not have done it without hazarding the life of her Brother Thus was this great business carried on so secretly amongst these illustrious persons that there was not any thing discovered that might prejudice either Aronces Brutus or Herminius nor was there any thing suspected abroad of the great design wherein the illustrious Lover of Lucrecia had been ingaged ever since his coming from Metapont nay this year he had two sons were received into the service who were so far from knowing any thing of the design of their generous Father that they were sufficiently engaged in his Sons Interest whom Brutus was designed to ruine and besides were entred into a Cabal opposite to that of those young men with whom the subtle Amilcar held a secret correspondence against if there were occasion to make use of them Besides all this there passed neither day nor night but there were secret meetings in Rome either at
Queen Galerita the Mother of Aronces and that she has a great reputation and interest in that Court so as it were a good expedient if you could oblige Artemidorus and Zenocrates to go unknown unto Clusium and acquaint that Princess with the true interest and condition of Aronces to the end she may do him such service as he desires But replyed Brutus Aronces is in the hands of Tarquin who certainly will never part with him unless Porsenna promise to assist him But replied Herminius if Porsenna will not assist him he will be so far from being able to keep Aronces that he will not know how to keep himself There is some reason in what you say answered Brutus but you never consider that Porsenna who would not have Aronces to marry Clelia will not treat with Rome now Clelius is returned but upon condition that match shall never be yet you know that Aronces will not consent unto that treaty I know it very well replied Herminius but I know withal that however it be it is very requisite to have one in the King of Clusium's Court though only to know how things pass there I grant it answerd Brutus and accordingly Herminius took upon him to propound the business unto Artemidorus and Zenocrates Mean time Sulpitia arrived the next morning who was so highly joyed to see Clelia there that it pleased her more than to see her self in Rome and Tarquin out on 't or to see Sivelia Racilia Hermilia Collatina Valeria Cesonia Plotina Flavia Salonina and all the rest of the illustrious Romans who came in Troops to visit her On the other side Clelia whom Sivelia then restored unto Sulpitia had a double joy in being again so near her virtuous Mother For besides her affectionate tenderness towards her she looked upon her as one who loved Aronces and did not love Horatius She had also the satisfaction to see that though Clelius had enjoyned her to forget what was past and to receive that illustrious Roman very well yet she gave him but a very faint entertainment but she enquired very affectionately of the Numidian Prince and of Aronces as a man whom she most esteemed Clelia received also that day a most sensible joy For Aronces having suborned his Guard procured one to go unto Rome with one letter unto Herminius and another unto Clelia The messenger addressing himself unto Herminius according to his directions he presented the two Letters unto him And Herminius after he had read his own went immediately to carry both unto Clelia who without making any secret of the matter shewed them unto Sulpitia The letter unto Herminius was thus writ Aronces unto Herminius FOr Gods sake dear Herminius pity my misfortune and bid all our illustrious friends pity me also But above all oblige my Divine Clelia not to change her thoughts of a miserable man who whether in Fetters or on a Throne will still be the same to her For as it is not in the power of virtue it self to make no happy unless fortune consent so it is not in the power of Fortune to make me forsake Virtue in forsaking Clelia Negotiate therefore for me as I would for you if you were in my stead And speak unto that most admirable person whom I adore as you would have â—â— speak unto Valeria if your misfortune were equd unto mine Tell Brutus that Tarquin hopes to be able for a war and that I will do all I can to hinder the King my Father from embracing his Interests After Clelia had read this letter she opened her own and found these words The unfortunate Aronces to the most Divine Clelia THough Madam my Rival had the advantage of carrying you back unto Rome yet I am Tarquins Prisoner for endeavouring to set you at liberty when you consider of the good office which Horace has done you consider also that the unfortunate Aronces would gladly die to do you service But above all never forget your promise unless you would have me die desperate The reading of this Letter did exceedingly more Sulpitia and her admirable daughter who concluded with Herminius that Clelius should see it Mean time they informed themselves from the messenger of Aronces and his wounds who told them that in all likelihood they were not dangerous They also understood by him that Aronces was guarded very strictly They learned further that the enterview of Tarquin and Tullia was with much bitterness and yet their bad fortunes had united them He told them also that they had sent unto Ceres which was close by them to engage that Prince unto their side And that the report went Tarquin intended to go unto Veies that great and potent City whose neighbourhood might much incumber Rome if it should declare for him After they had satisfied their curiosities as far as the messenger was able to inform them Herminius carried him unto Brutus that he also might know the state of things and to the end he should not repent quitting the Tyrant he gave him a round sum of money and promised imployment if any wars were After which Artemidorus Zenocrates Amilcar and Celeres coming in Herminius who according to his resolution had spoken unto the two first told Brutus that they both of them offered to go unto Clusium with a design not to be known unto any but the Princess of the Leontines So as it was resolved that they should depart within few daies As for Celeres his affection unto Aronces moved him unto a design of going unto Tarquinia to hear news and also the more easily to receive such orders as he would give either for the Court of the King his Father or for Clelia As for Amilcar he resolved to see out the destinie of Rome since it might be advantagious unto his Master to Aronces to Clelia to Brutus and to Herminius and since it was pleasing unto Plotina unto whom he was as officious as unto any whom he called Mistress Mean time Hermilia and Collatina who suffered both under the same kind of affliction they grew to love each other most tenderly through this equality of misfortune For if one grieved for the absence of the Prince of Pometia the other did the like for the absence of Titus So as often mixing their Tears and Complaints together they therefore confined themselves to their Chambers it not being permitted at that time to appear sad in Rome For indeed if any was seen without joy and mirth in his eyes he was presently censured for one of Tarquins friends And according to the natural injustice and insolence of a people newly set at liberty they would have a Law which should inflict most terrible tortures upon such as looked melancholy at such a time when Rome was enfranchiz'd So as now it was not permitted any to grieve for the death of any kindred or friend unless they would run the danger of being taken for some of Tarquins Creatures and be thrown down headlong from the Tarpeian Rock Brutus
life if you should discover me but though I should make you known the interest of Tarquin would restrain him from treating you ill Ah Horatius cryed Aronces I had rather loose my life as things now stand than behold my self again under the power of Tarquin and it would be more grievous to me to be a second time his Prisoner than to be dead for which reason I earnestly wish to remain a captive amongst the Veientines Being in this discourse there came a Guard to fetch and conduct them along to the other Prisoners They demanded whither they were to be carried and were answered in general to Veien upon which they rejoyced instead of being afflicted But when they arrived at the Tent of Tarquin where there were already about an hundred prisoners they were strangely surprised especially when they beheld that fierce Tyrant come out of the Tent to see them pass by and afterwards to conduct them to Veien He had not seen Horatius of a long time who was much changed both by his Travels and his Melancholly so that he was not discerned in the croud of prisoners But it being but a few days since he had seen Aronces he no sooner cast his eyes upon him but he knew him having been informed in the morning of his escape out of prison Whereupon making a great shout What do I see said he hastily approaching to that unhappy Prince Can it be that in the midst of my defeat I should have the satisfaction of seeing the son of Porsenna in my power Aronces perceiving that it was impossible for him to be concealled made up towards Tarquin and by an act of unparraleld generosity hid his Rival as he advanced his great spirit not suffering him to expose the life of so valiant a person to the cruelty of the Tyrant But as he went forward he turned his head a short space and beholding Horatius and speaking with a low voice Remember said he what I do for you this day if Fortune ever return you to the sight of Clelia And then passing on towards Tarquin who was come near him without minding any of the other prisoners it is but too true said he to him that I find my self again in your fetters but not to dissemble it is not without some consolation since my Conqueror has been conquered and I may without vanity believe my self to have contributed something to his defeat Tarquin observing with what resoluteness Aronces spoke this to him was thinking to use him as a Rival and an Enemy but that Policy which had through his whole life given laws to all his passions restrained his fury and tempered his answer being the Son of a King answered he for whom I have much esteem I interpret the peremptoriness of your language as proceeding from your resentment of your captivity but to testifie to you that Porsenna hinders me from taking notice of the words of Aronces I declare to you that I will not treat you as a person whom I have seen on the side of my Rebel-Subjects with his Sword drawn against me but as the Son of a great King to whom I am obliged and who will assist me to punish the insolence of those for whom you have sought Then without expecting an answer he commanded that this Prince should be separated from the other Prisoners and led into his own Tent till farther order After which he marched in the head of all those Prisoners and went directly to Veien being followed by a party of his Troops which were half Veientines and half Tarquinians according as it was resolved before The people of that City as the vulgar is only affected with what they see beholding this train of Prisoners conducted by Tarquin as if he had been victor were as forward in receiving him as they were lately insolent in renouncing and repining against him Besides Tarquin diligently causing it to be publisht at the instant that the Son of the King of Hetruria was in his power and that Porsenna would infallibly ingage for his interest it served abundantly to appease the Inhabitants of the City And moreover as he is not wont to scruple provoking the gods he caused it to be given out at Veien by several of his agents that the pretended voice which was said to be heard after the battel was a counterfeit adding also many railleries upon that which this voice had uttered that there was one fewer dead on the side of the Romans than his This by degrees brought the people to be more passionate and devoted to him and so greatly advantaged his affairs that the next day his Troops were received into Veien But yet to win the hearts of the Veientines more he declared that he nor his would have any share in the Prisoners whereupon they were divided among the chief of the Veientines and Horatius became presently a slave to some person at Veien who knew not what he was But for Aronces he was conducted next morning into the City and put into a Tower where he was guarded carefully and yet attended with very great respect In the mean while Tarquin having been in person at the Council propounded to send two Veientines and two of his own to Porsenna to desire assistance of him after having offered to him to restore Aronces into his hands even without any conditions and accordingly the business was concluded on and dispatched But before I proceed farther I must give you an account of my travels with Artemidorus you shall know therefore that we arrived in the evening at Clusium and without loosing time knowing that the Princess of the Leontines was lodged in the Kings Palace we sent a slave that was sufficiently subtile to deliver her a Letter from the Prince her Brother whose hand she immediately knew But being he intreated her to make a secret of his arrival at Clusium because if he were known to the Prince of the Leontines he would be more incensed against him for it she made no words of it but only sought out ways how to give audience to that Prince without giving suspition of what he was To this end she writ to him that he should come the next morning and walk in a Garden of the Kings without the City on the side that Porsenna causes his own Tomb to be built which will be one of the Wonders of the World when it 's finished You may imagine that we were too precise to fail at this assignation The hour of which being come we beheld the Princes of the Leontines enter the Garden attended only with her own Ladies but to the end the business might be done with more secrecy she called but one of them to follow her and leaving the rest in a spacious walk came to seek us in an Alley where she had desired Artemidorus to expect her For though we had never been before in that Garden yet she gave us such exact directions what to do that it was impossible to mistake I
shall have an ingenious and quick mind and so near a subtilty that way that it shall not be possible to be foreseen and oftentimes it shall not be known what he aims at till he has done speaking Then behold Marat with a grave countenance no doubt thou wouldst take him for a person that were not fit for any thing but to teach morality Nevertheless no wit shall ever be more sportful than his There shall be always good sense in his most foolish raillery and pleasant passages in his most grave discourses He shall be entertain'd in the service of the King under whom Melin shall live His style shall be sprightly easie natural and divertising This Poet shall have the honor to be imitated by all Poets that would be pleasant and yet be always inimitable In the next place behold the Prince of the French Poets he shall be a goodly person of a handsome stature and aspect he shall be call'd Ronsard his descent shall be noble he shall be highly esteem'd and deserve it in his own days for he shall have a very great genius He shall also be sufficiently learned but being he shall be the first in France that shall undertake to make handsome Verses he shall not be able to give his Works the perfection necessary to assure him lasting praises However it shall always be known by some of his Hymns that nature has been very liberal to him and that he merited his reputation His fortune shall not be bad and he shall dye superior to poverty But now behold Belleau who shall not be without merit he shall be one of the most eminent of seven Poets of the same knot who shall be called the Pleiades after the example of those among the Greeks It shall be said of him that he built himself a Tomb of precious stones because in imitation of a Greek Poet he shall write upon that subject He shall one day translate the Odes of Anacreon but he shall deprive them of a great part of their graces But if I please interrupted Anacreon smiling I can spoil the truth of Calliopes's prediction for I need only burn all my Odes to hinder that pretended Beleau from translating them to their disadvantage By no means answer'd Amilcar for there was never any Poet that sacrific'd a handsome composition after he had made it Since 't is so reply'd he proceed then to read and let him translate me as he pleases And accordingly Amilcar went on in this manner See next a Poet of quality he shall be named Bellay he shall compose very lofty and elegant Verses and especially Sonnets upon the subject of Rome which shall give him much reputation in his days After him behold Jodelle Cretin Passerat Olivier and de Magny all these Poets shall be sufficiently esteem'd during their lives but their Works savoring of the infancy of the French Poetry ought not to be nam'd to thee Behold next the French Poet that shall make Tragedies with any reputation his name shall be Garnier and he shall be of a considerable lineage But dost thou see there a Poet with a very agreeable aspect he shall be call'd Desportes and shall aspire to be the most amorous of all the French Poets Indeed he shall have a very sweet and passionate stile in his time he also shall have the happiness to live in a Court where Princes shall delight in ingenious Productions and be inclin'd to magnificence By which means he shall become sufficiently rich much esteem'd by all the Grandees and much in favour with Women of quality Then consider a man of great Dignity in France he shall be named Perron he shall learn all the Sciences of himself he shall be interessed in the most important affairs of Europe and be highly esteem'd He shall have a great affection for Poetry and notwithstanding his great employments shall not cease to busie himself very frequently in making Verses but his multiplicity of affairs shall hinder him from composing any considerable number Behold next an excellent Poet who shall live at the same time his name shall be Brâ—taut Fortune also shall be favourable to his merit he shall be endued both with virtue and probity his Verses shall be full of Wit and Love and there shall be some so excellent in his Works that there shall never be any French Poet so famous but would wish to have been the Author of them He shall be of considerable degree in his Countrey his aspect shall be sweet and agreeable and shall be at that time the most amorous Poet of France though Desportes whom I shew'd thee will dispute that title with him He shall be accus'd of not knowing when to make an end in some places and to be something harsh in some others But to conclude he shall be good amongst the good of his own times and shall see none above him After him look upon that man carelesly and unsutably attir'd his name shall be Regnier he shall be Nephew to Desportes and deserve very much glory He shall be the first that shall compose Satyrs in French and though he cast an eye upon some famous Originals amongst those that preceded him yet himself shall be an Original in his time his compositions shall be excellent and the meanest of them shall always have life and quickness He shall paint out vices to the life and the vicious very pleasantly lastly he shall read in a peculiar way among the Poets of his age in which those that would follow him shall frequently be subject to erre Consider next a Poet whose genius shall be great and style sublime he shall have both vigor and boldness and shall deserve to be translated into Latine and Italian His name shall be Du Bartas and he shall affect only high arguments But for that the French Language shall not as then have attain'd to all its perfection his Works shall soon after seem to have something antiquated in the style After this redouble thy attention and behold with pleasure a man who shall have the honor to have alter'd the Language of his Countrey and brought French Poetry to such perfection that he shall be the pattern of all the eminent Poets that shall follow him and be alledg'd as an authority by all those of his own Nation He shall be nam'd Malherbe and shall be of a very honorable lineage but so disfavour'd by fortune that he shall always be unhappy 'T is he that shall perfectly conceive the Idaea of excellent French Poetry and find out the art of making the same Verses both stately and natural majestick and sweet harmonious and exact He shall not appear to have more wit than another but the handsomness of his expressions shall advance him above all Yet he shall have no delicate Soul in respect of Love though there will be exquisite wit in his Verses But in brief he shall be universally acknowledg'd worthy of all the praises due to excellent Poetry and so shall be
the second Consul went forth at another gate and getting to the top of mount Clelium with foot only he appear'd first to the Enemies with the Romane Ensigns to the end to draw them out to fight And accordingly Tarquin whose quarter was on that side first sending his forragers to attempt the driving away the Cattle commanded other Troops to second them who hastned to the place whither they were directed with all the eagerness that useth to be in people that hope to make a great booty Herminius no sooner saw them advanc'd but giving them a smart charge he drave them towards the second Consul The Tarquinians thereupon ralli'd themselves and encouraging one another to fight stoutly made head on both sides but at the same instant a great noise arising about the Colline and the Nevian-gates they understood they were inclos'd round so that on a sudden losing their courages they forsook their ranks and were all taken or â—ut in pieces Whereupon the people beholding the Prisoners brought in and afterwards the Cattle fell into an excessive joy without considering that the City was thereby no better provided for than before But the Consuls Clelius Horatius Herminius and all the other chief Romans well understood that this small advantage was far from being decisive of the main War and that unless the Forts were taken that defended the broken bridge which the Enemies had repair'd it was impossible to have the River free on that side and consequently Rome could not long hold out Therefore they resolv'd to make a great attempt to accomplish this which resolution was kept with much secresie to the end they might if possible surprise the Enemies Nevertheless they accounted it fit to defer the execution of this design for some daies during which nothing pass'd very considerable either in the Camp of Porsenna or in Rome In the mean time Aronces omitted nothing to which honor obliged him and was depriv'd of all consolation saving what the conversation of the Princess of the Leontines and the generous Melintha gave him The Prince Titus was also very much devoted to his interest and Telanus acquitting himself of the promise he had made to Octavius rendred him all offices in his power As for Tarquin his solicitude of regaining the Throne wholly took him up Sextus liv'd after his accustomed manner to wit as voluptuously in the Camp as in time of peace the fierce Tullia bestirr'd her self continually at Tarquinii to promote the design of Porsenna who aim'd at the glory of compelling the Romans to receive a King from his hand But altho War be a great affair which employ's all the world even to those which go not to it notwithstanding there wanted not some persons at Rome who diverted themselves agreeably and War and Love have such a sympathy that they sometimes produce one another and often subsist together without mutual prejudice Thus there wanted not good company at the houses of Domitia Valeria's Mother Sulpicia Berelisa Cesonia and divers other houses of quality and all the Lovers how courageous soever fail'd not to find opportunities to make visits to their mistresses They also who were not amorous but yet had pleasant wits and were of a debonair humor frequently diverted themselves with the misfortunes of others Amilcar found pleasure to himself in a hundred things which nevertheless had something of sadness in themselves Damon furnisht him with a sufficiently ample subject for tho he hated Amilcar ever since he perciev'd that he derided him in pretending to remember what he had been before he came into the world yet he thought him of the Sect of Pythagoras and that he wanted only firmness enough of mind to own an opinion publickly which was generally so little receiv'd Wherefore being very ill of the wound he had received at the attaque of the Tarquinians bridge and believing he should die tho his attendants thought otherwise out of Zeal to the Sect he was of he sent to desire Amilcar to come to see him for one of the principal Precepts of Pythagoras was Never to sleep with hatred in the Heart Now Damon having pass'd many daies and nights without being able to cease hating Amilcar desir'd to see him before he di'd that he might be reconcil'd to him and admonish him since they were of the same Sect not to make a secret of it but to maintain that important verity wishing passionately that he might retain the remembrance of it when his Soul should be inclos'd in another body as he believ'd it would in a short time Amilcar at first much commiserated the prepossessed fancy of a man whom he saw really very sick But there being no hope to cure him thereby he answer'd him according to his desire When he was gone out of his chamber and had that object of compassion no longer before his eyes and moreover understood by those that attended on Damon that whatever he fanci'd there was no danger of his dying his jolly humor could not let pass so ample a subject of divertisement but at night he compos'd a Dialogue between himself and Damon which the next morning he sent to Plotina by an unknown person When Plotina receiv'd the Pasquil Valeria Berelisa Clidamira Herminius and Anacreon were in her chamber The hand being also unknown to her for Amilcar had caus'd his composition to be written by one of his Attendants she imagined it might haply be something to declare her condition to her and inform her who she was Wherefore rising up to open it and withdrawing towards the window she was immediately surpriz'd upon reading these words A Dialogue between Damon sick and Amilcar in health This odd Title excited such laughter in her that Anacreon told her she would be very unjust if she depriv'd the company of reading that which made her so pleasant I assure you answer'd she 't is not my intention for I think the pleasure the company will receive in seeing that which is sent me will augment my own And accordingly Plotina having resum'd her seat and intreated her Auditors not to interrupt her began to read that which follows with that sweet and agreeable Air that was natural to her A Dialogue between Damon sick and Amilcar in health Amilcar WHat has mov'd you to send for me Am I not your Rival and consequently your Enemy Damon Alas When a man is at a point of death and perhaps ready to become a Crane the same moment he has no longer power to hate any person for in brief Amilcar I may undergo that destiny if the Gods please and if Pythagoras be not mistaken Amilcar Since I conceive Cranes are very healthful for in my opinion they are birds which do not much torment themselves with the affairs of this world I should as soon chuse to be a Crane in health as to be sick Damon But however for what reason have you sent for me hither Damon To conjure you that you would cease deriding the Doctrine of the greatest
there was never a more glorious sight than when these twenty fair Virgins went to receive the Queen of Hetruria at the entry of their Tents For the Lot had so happily chosen them out that there was not one of them but was extremely handsome and agreeable Valeria Clelia and Plotina being in the front of this fair Company the first as being daughter of the first Consul spoke thus in the name of all her Companions when she saluted Galerita Had my Companions and my self had liberty to doe our duty Madam said she very gracefully we should have had the honour to have gone and saluted your Majesty assoon as we saw you arrive in the Camp But Madam since we are not in our own power no doubt you are so equitable as not to accuse us of being deficient in the respect we owe you The Queen of Hetruria very civilly receiv'd that which Valeria spoke to her and also made an answer to it but it was almost without thinking what she was doing for the Princess of the Leontines having before caus'd her to take notice of Clelia she beheld her with so great admiration that she could not refrain from giving advantageous signs of what she thought of her Assoon as she had done answering Valeria she turned her self towards the Princess of the Leontines and speaking to her Report is injurious to Clelia's beauty said she for certainly it transcends all the praises that are publish'd of it and I believe it can never be sufficiently extoll'd Galerita had scarce spoke this but all that accompani'd her perceiving it was free for them to speak what they thought commended Clelia so highly that she blusht at it whereby modesty imbellishing her more she confirm'd all the applauses that were given her After which Galerita having commended all these fair Virgins in general separated Clelia from the rest and talkt with her for some time whilst the Princess of the Leontines Melintha Hersilia and the other Ladies were speaking to Valeria Plotina and their companions As for Prince Titus he entertain'd Colatina whom he had not seen since his leaving Rome but Sextus was wholly silent and only beheld Clelia so attentively that it was easie to perceive that he had not lov'd the unfortunate Lucretia more ardently Amilcar who had follow'd the Queen of Hetruria joyn'd in the discourse with the Princess of the Leontines and Plotina Telanus did the like Aurelisa and Terentia admir'd these fair Romans and Valeria and her companions returning them commendations for those they gave this first conversation pass'd in reciprocal civilities But Clelia spoke so handsomely to Galerita that she was as much charm'd with her wit as her beauty yet she would not mention any thing to her concerning Aronces but assur'd her in general she would protect her in all things and omit no opportunity to doe her good offices After which turning her self towards the other Romane Ladies the Princess of the Leontines approacht to Clelia with intention to assure her she would serve her with all her heart and give her an account of the sentiments Aronces had for her But Sextus coming to her at the same moment it was impossible for her to execute her purpose besides that Clelia appear'd to her with so cold an aspect that this did sufficiently amuse her Nevertheless soon after she thought Sextus's presence caus'd that coldness of hers so that hoping to see her often she was not very earnest to discourse with her apart On the contrary believing she should doe her a pleasure in taking off Sextus she pretended to have something to say to this Prince and accordingly whisper'd a little to him but presently after the Queen of Hetruria being retir'd she could doe no more but tell Clelia she would see her again speedily Notwithstanding she spoke this with a very obliging air yet the secret jealousie this fair Virgin had in her breast caus'd her to answer her with some coldness tho with sufficient civility The Queen of Hetruria as she return'd spoke of nothing but the beauty of Clelia and the charms of her mind Sextus seem'd so transported with it that he could not refrain from speaking things which made it apparent he was deeply enamour'd of her and all that accompani'd Galerita were so taken with her that they contended who should extol her most Her companions were also much Commended and tho fair Ladies love not very much to applaud those that own that advantageous quality yet Aurelisa Terentia and all the rest acknowledg'd nothing could be seen so handsome as Clelia and that next her Valeria Plotina Hermilia and Colatina were the most charming persons in the world When Galerita arriv'd at her Tent she understood that the cruel Tullia was in private conference with Porsenna and she was told of it by Aronces who was extremely troubled at it And so was she too for she knew well of what dangerous artifices this person was capable But to comfort him she talk'd with him so advantageously of Clelia that it gave him satisfaction in some measure You have reason Aronces said Galerita to him to prefer Clelia above all the rest of the world for being noble vertuous ingenious and the greatest beauty that ever liv'd and having an affection for you I conceive nothing is to be desir'd for your happiness but the consent of Porsenna Ah! Madam cry'd Aronces that consent is hard to be obtain'd I confess it answer'd the Queen but nevertheless I am perswaded if the King saw Clelia it would be more easie to prevail with him and I purpose to continue some dayes in the Camp that I may endeavour to bring him to resolve upon it Aronces thanked Galerita for this design of hers and afterwards requested the Princess of the Leontines to assist her in moving Porsenna to see Clelia As he left the Queen he saw his Father the King who seem'd to be sufficiently pensive he understood by some of the Officers that were faithful to him that when Tullia departed from Porsenna he told her he would keep his word provided she kept hers and that this Princess went away with an aspect sufficiently satisfi'd But the unfortunate Aronces not being able to see Clelia writ to her in the most passionate manner in the world and oblig'd Titus Telanus and Amilcar to tell her a hundred things every day in his name At the same time liberty of intercourse between Rome and the Camp being ratifi'd excepting for such Romans as had follow'd Tarquin the Princess of the Leontines went to see the Prince her Brother who was a little recover'd and Herminius Horatius Octavius Aemilius Zenocrates Anacreon and many others caus'd themselves to be presented to Porsenna to the end they might have liberty to visit the twenty fair Virgins that were given as Hostages By this means the conversation became very delightful both at the Tents of the Queen of Hetruria the Princess of the Leontines and those in which the fair Romans were As for
precise token of what I am I conceive I should not have caus'd you to remember that generous command you laid upon me because I confess to my shame I have not been able to become such as you commanded me to be Howsoever I can assure you 't is no fault of the wise Cleanthus for he has omitted no industry to render me worthy to be your son But where is Cleanthus said the Princess of Leontium and in what places have you pass'd your lives As for Cleanthus answer'd he I hope he will be here within a short time and as for our adventures I will relate them to you in few words You know Madam we took ship to go into Greece and no doubt you are not ignorant that we were made captive by Pyrates But you never heard that they sold us to others who carried us into Phaenicia For I that was no uncomely person in my childhood I was bought to be presented to the Queen of that Country But as for Cleanthus he was sold to a Priest of the Temple of Neptune at Tire who soon observing his wisdome and abilities propos'd to the King of Phaenicia to place him about the young Princes his sons who are indeed the most goodly and accomplisht Princes in the World The eldest reigns with all imaginable glory and the youngest is the ornament and delight of the Court. At first Cleanthus not daring to discover who I was pretended I was his son by which means I being restored to his governance he had as great care of me as of the young Princes with whom he was plac'd to teach them several accomplishments Sometime after thinking he had given sufficient testimonies of his honesty and perform'd service enough to obtain what he desir'd he confided in the King told him my quality and requested liberty to bring me back hither But in this occasion the vertue and worth of Cleanthus were an invincible obstacle to his design for the King of Phaenicia judg'd him so necessary for the education of the two young Princes that tho he doubted not the truth of his words yet he made semblance that he did and told him at length that however it were he would not give him the liberty to depart from his Court till the Princes his sons were of age to need no more instructions The King of Phaenicia sent the Princes his sons Cleanthus and me to a very fair house where we liv'd a long time Afterwards we return'd to Court but without any liberty and liv'd there in that manner till the death of the King of Phaenicia After which the Prince his son who reigns at this day to reward Cleanthus for the services render'd him gave him leave to bring me back hither on condition that he would return again to him To which purpose having given us a vessel to return we made use of it to go into Greece to the end to follow your intention that I should see that Country After which being embarqu'd at Corinth and our ship joyning with another Merchant ship that was bound for the same place with us it hapned unfortunately one day that Cleanthus going one morning into that Ship to visit the Commander of it who was sick a sudden tempest arising seperated us in such sort that we could never come together or so much as see one another more but I landed at the Port nearest to this place where I hope Cleanthus too will in a short time arrive Artemidorus having done speaking the Princess of Leontium made him a thousand caresses but after this told him it was requisite to defer making this discovery to the Prince his brother until Cleanthus were arriv'd For whereas added she we have different sentiments in many things I should be glad that your acknowledgement depended not upon my testimony alone but that Cleanthus who is reputed for a man of eminent honesty confirm it As you please Madam answer'd Artemidorus but I remember so many particular things which my brother said to me during my childhood that I believe he cannot have forgot them all Believe me Artemidorus reply'd the Princess do not trust to his memory and let us wait for Cleanthus But Madam said Artemidorus if Cleanthus had suffer'd shipwrack it would have been necessary to have dispens'd with his absence Were that his misfortune hapned answer'd she we might then do all that we can do at this day After this Artemidorus desir'd permission of the Princess of Leontium at least to make himself known to Lysimena and accordingly without more delay the Princess writ three or four lines in her Tablets which she gave Artemidorus to deliver to her Upon which he went to find Lysimena and beseeching her that he might speak to her without being heard by any other the Princess withdrew into her Cabinet where he deliver'd the Tablets to her in which she sound these words He that you see is Artemidorus who you have so often beheld me lament love him as a good sister ought to love a brother and discover this great secret to none At first Lysimena knew not whether she ought to believe what she read but Artemidorus spoke to her after a manner so full of tenderness that on a sudden suffering her self to be convinc'd she embrac'd the Prince her brother with all the testimonies of joy and dearness imaginable and express'd her self with so much the greater passion because at that instant she look'd upon Artemidorus as a Protector that might oppose the violence the Prince her brother intended to use towards her to constrain her to marry Meleontus The door of her Cabinet hapning to be open a Waiting-woman belonging to the Princess whom Meleontus had corrupted beheld the caresses she made to Artemidorus which nevertheless she attributed to the service which she had receiv'd from him After which Artemidorus forbad his attendants to tell his name to any person and liv'd as a stranger unknown in the Castle But Lysimena who did me the honour to keep nothing secret from me told me what had pass'd and ask'd my counsel whether she should write to Zenocrates concerning it Because I knew Letters are liable to a thousand accidents I told her that I counsell'd her not only not to write him word of it but also judge it prudence not to tell him any thing of it altho he should come thither with the Prince and that it were better he knew it not but with others for fear least not being able to contain from giving some intimation of it it might prove prejudicial to the owning of Artemidorus And the Princess was satisfi'd with my advice In the mean time the rumour of the accident that had befallen her and the succour she receiv'd from astranger was soon known to all the world The Prince of Leontium being a little wounded at his last hunting could not make a visit to the Princess his sister upon this occasion but out of favour to Meleontus he sent him to do it so that
thither by Amilcar who came to take leave of these two fair persons which were to depart the next day Anacreon and Cesonia enter'd presently after so that Berelisa had the satisfaction to see that Clidamira could not bid Adieu to Artemidorus in private Whereby her mind being more at liberty her conversation became more agreeable That which gave occasion to render it such was this Clidamira had had a Dream which disquieted her and being so weak as to believe that Dreams are always of a good or bad presage she complain'd to Cesonia of having slept ill Alas said she if you knew what a Dream I had you would not wonder at it How cry'd Amilcar is it possible a bad Dream should cause Clidamira to have an unquiet night What said she in some astonishment does not Amilcar who has so much wit and is so learned know that some Dreams are certain predictions I know answer'd he all that can be known concerning Dreams and if I should make you the History of them you would see that I am not ignorant therein I know that Homer says Dreams and particularly those of Kings are sent from Heaven that many excellent Philosophers have believ'd the Gods distribute them to men and that Pythagoras who made them a great Mystery learnt the Art of interpreting them especially amongst the Aegyptians and Chaldeans I know that there are Temples Built on purpose to receive the inspirations of Dreams that in Aegypt people go to sleep in the Temple of Serapis to the end to have Prophetical Dreams and that great care is taken there to record all Dreams which a fortuitous event has verifi'd Moreover I know what a Dream Mandana had which presag'd the power of Cyprus but being an African and not oblig'd to believe that which people believe in Aegypt or Persia any more than what Pythagoras believ'd I declare to you that I laugh at all the Dreams in the World For my part said Anacreon feigning himself of Clidamira's opinion I assure you I am not of your mind for this last night I had a Dream the consequence of which will occasion me much trouble Oh! I beseech you said Clidamira tell me what you Dreamt of Me thought answer'd he with a serious countenance about midnight Cupid who never sleeps came to knock at my chamber door I askt him who knockt and he answer'd me 't was a poor child all wet with a storm that desir'd shelter of me Being I thought his voice very sweet I pity'd him and open'd the door to him when by the light of my Lamp which was still burning I beheld that this lovely child had two wings a quiver upon his shoulder and a bow in his hand Then I wip'd his hair caus'd him to come near the fire and dry'd him with very much goodness after which this little Traytor took his Bow saying he would see whether the rain had not spoil'd it But alas he no sooner took it in hand but he bent it and shot an arrow straight into my heart After which he laught at me and flew away only telling me that his Bow was as it should be Whereupon I was so enrag'd for having been deceiv'd that remembring confus'dly that people cry Stop thief when any one is rob'd I began to cry Stop Cupid stop Cupid so loud that I wak'd But the mischief is added Anacreon that at the first visit I made this day this dream was turn'd into a History by the charms of a person infinitely amiable This is so jolly a dream answer'd Berelisa smiling that I condemn you to make an Ode upon it If it were made long ago said Amilcar Clidamira would be much deluded for she has heard this dream with as much attention as if Anacreon had had it indeed But I am confident he has said all this only to intimate to Clidamira that he is taken with her to day more than ordinary Since you have so well expounded my real sentiments answer'd Anacreon I will acknowledge what you have said How cry'd Clidamira much disturb'd did not you dream as you have related and are you of Amilcar's opinion that no heed is to be given to dreams No question I am Madam said Anacreon For my part said Artemidorus who scarce ever dream at all I never cared much to reason upon dreams As for me said Berelisa I have always found them so frivolous false extravagant and chimerical that I shall easily rank my self on Amilcar's side And for my particular said Cesonia I confess it has hapned to me to dream of things which have befallen me so exactly that I know not what to think of them Since chance answer'd Amilcar sometimes represents very regular Pictures in the Clouds it is not to be wonder'd if hazard brings to pass some things which are dream'd of I have heard a Thuscan woman affirm that the most ancient manner of Divination was by dreams She also told me that those which we have presently after repast or in the second sleep signifie nothing but that those we have in the beginning of the morning are the most certain that the dreams of the Spring are more true than those of the Autumn and that it 's more ordinary to dream in the new Season of the Year than in all the rest Believe me amiable Cesonia said Artemidorus dreams are only a bare representation of images They are pleasant or sad according to the constitution when they are purely natural Those which are mixt have extrinsecal causes which supply matter to the fansie and this is the reason that many times we dream of things which we have seen or thought on and most of all of things which we desire And certainly this last manner of dreaming has brought Dreams into such credit when it falls out that we see the people by day whom we dream of by night For many times our hearts desire or fear many things which we are not sensible of so that in sleeping our fansie which is mov'd by our desires and fears without our consent causes us to dream more of that which we fear or desire than of any other thing It is not therefore to be wondred if it sometimes comes to pass by chance that we see those we dreamt of because we usually dream of those people whom we cannot meet with Since 't is certain that we desire only that which may be hop'd and fear only that which may possibly come to pass I agree with you said Amilcar that Dreams may denote our inclinations but I deny that they can presage our fortunes unless as they proceed from our constitutions For they say cruel people are wont to have terrible dreams as well as those that are melancholick So that when it falls out that the dreams and adventures of these people have resemblance it is not to be wonder'd at forasmuch as they are produc'd by one and the same cause I know well such as are skilful in dreams say there are three sorts which
an Usurper By no means said Amilcar and I have at present a greater fancy than that but I beseech you suffer me to speak my friend and then let the company judge of my Wish Know then I would be neither King nor conquering Usurper but as for birth I would be of a Royal race and that the changes which arrive successively in the world had my family and left me scarce any other advantage besides nobility of bloud I would be also descended of vertuous Parents and be indu'd with great vertue my self I confess too I would be a handsome personage have a noble air a happy physiognomy and a very high aspect As for Wit I would have an infinite portion but especially of that of the chief order capable of great things of governing Nations counselling Kings and knowing all the interests of Monarchies the means to manage great Wars and the art of grand Negotiations of penetrating into the secrets of all hearts and above all I would have the faculty of perswading which is almost the most necessary of all for one that is in the highest imployments I would also in the beginning of my life go to the War and give proofs of my courage and to raise my self a reputation on the sudden I would have Fortune by some extraordinary way cause me to be between two Armies ready to joyn Battel and that for the first essays of my address and eloquence I had the pleasure to cause these two enemy-Armies to lay down their Arms and the glory to establish peace between two great Princes In the next place I would wish there were a Kingdom which were the sanctuary of the Sciences and excellent Arts in which there were a great and excellent Minister who by a thousand glorious actions had merited the admiration of all the earth to the end that being lov'd and esteem'd by him I might of a sudden come to be consider'd in that great state Moreover I should take an extreme pleasure if the Gods pleas'd that he di'd before me that he left me to the King his Master as a faithful servant and capable of assisting him to support the burden of affairs and to complete my happiness I would that that King at his death left me the government of the young Prince which were to succeed him together with that of the whole State But to signalize my Government the more I would have a great War to manage and that shortly after the death of the King there were divers Cities taken and many Battels won Yet I would not have Fortune always favourable to me and have none but easie successes and without obstacles On the contrary I would see my Victories on a sudden interrupted by some great Insurrection of the people I would I say that the Commotion beginning in the heart of the State I saw almost the whole Kingdom risen against me and had a foreign and a civil War to manage at once But in making this Wish I would at the same time perfectly understand the art to yield sometimes to the Tempest thereby to save the Ship from perishing and be able to re-establish a general calm and cause the young Prince I serv'd to reign with glory without employing that bloudy policy which is always follow'd with terrour and dread But after I had calm'd this great storm within the State I would win a thousand new advantages over the foreign enemies take many important Cities and gain divers Battels and then to crown all these grand actions with the most heroick action that ever was I would after so many happy successes form the design of a Peace upon the field of Victory But the more agreeably to surprise all the earth I would make a great secret of this important negotiation which should pass only between my self and the Minister of the King against whom the War was and at length when the Nations durst scarce hope a Peace they should understand it was made But for the conclusion of this peace I would not be unwilling to be a while in some small Island conferring with the Minister of the enemies to the end I might in that place see Nations Princes and Kings await with ardency the resolutions which should be taken in that little corner of earth Moreover I would corroborate this Peace by a happy Marriage of the young King I serv'd and a fair Princess daughter of the enemy-King that so thenceforth I might see peace plenty and pleasures return together establish safety both on Land and Sea reconcile to the interests of the State some illustrious Heroe whom Fortune had separated from them and finally render the whole world happy And to accomplish my own felicity I would not marry at all but I would there were a State in the world where the Prince reign'd by the election of the greatest and the wisest and that I were advanc'd to that place to reign there all the rest of my life But I would also that that Soveraignty had some kind of authority over all others and that I had power then to continue peace amongst all the Kings of the world Thus not being born a King I should reign innocently and boast of having enjoy'd glory in all the different manners it can be possest Ah! Amilcar cry'd the old sage Soothsayer who had scarce spoken before it belongs to you only to wish I think you are inspir'd by heaven for having consulted the Lots to know what will be the destiny of Rome now Tarquin is expell'd thence I have found that it will one day be subject to a man of the same name with one of the first ancestors of Romulus to such a man as you desire to be who shall be descended from the ancient Kings of Sicily But this will not come to pass till a long time after Rome shall have been a triumphant Common-wealth and shall have been once again govern'd by Soveraigns amongst which many Heroes shall be counted This man spoke thus with such Majestie that himself seem'd really inspir'd and his discourse made such an impression upon the minds of all that heard him that they doubted not but what he said would one day be accomplish'd and all the company confess'd that it was not possible to wish any thing more great and glorious and that all their own wishes together deserv'd not to be compar'd to the destiny of that great man But whilst they were speaking thus the old Soothsayer sate down again in his place and return'd to his ordinary silence without concerning himself longer in what the company discours'd of which soon after broke up and retir'd The next morning Amilcar went to the Temple of Fortune of which he admir'd the beauty and magnificence In divers parts of this Temple this Goddess was seen represented in many various manners and all round about it were seen great Tables in which all the events she uses to cause were pourtray'd sometimes advancing the little and depressing the great In one
cease to protect her all your life against such as would constrain her You promis'd this in consideration of the small service I had then done you and I promis'd you again that I would never marry Clelia till I had offer'd you to win her by a Combate with you I acquit my self of my word added Aronces for though I am not certain whether I am likely to be happy yet there have lately fallen out so many changes in my fortune that I have some ground to hope it wherefore before we go to the Camp I will hide my self in the Wood we are to pass through and satisfie you if you desire it But my Lord answer'd Horatius what would you say of me if owing my life and liberty more than once to you I should draw my sword against you the same moment that you have imploy'd yours in my defence I would say repli'd Aronces that a Rival is not so oblig'd to gratitude as other persons are Ha! my Lord cry'd Horatius hastily I should not be satisfi'd of that and therefore 't is best that I yield a felicity to you which you alone can merit and the Gods themselves have decreed to you nor was I going but to seek my death in helping you to overcome Tarquin when I met those that assaulted me But to compleat your happiness added he know that as I beheld Clelia enter into Rome she spoke so rigorously to me that I am convinc'd nothing but death can comfort me That which you say is so worthy of your courage answer'd Aronces that if you will be my friend I shall with joy be yours as long as I live Alas my Lord reply'd Horatius I know not my own Will but for fear my vertue abandon me permit me to leave you and return to Rome And accordingly Horatius departing from Aronces went to relate to the Romans the Victory of his Rival Clelia in the mean time had been receiv'd there in triumph with all her companions But Horatius to carry his generosity further went to Clelius and shew'd him the answer the Lots of Praeneste had given him for he had sent one of his Friends thither who brought it him back and which was so exact that nothing could be more clear for it was in these terms Clelius ows Clelia to Aronces the Gods decree so and you cannot pretend to her without displeasing them Aronces being by this time return'd to the Camp was receiv'd with joy by Porsenna Galerita the princess of the Leontines all the Army and the whole Court And to accomplish his felicity the King of Hetruria told him that to testifie to Rome that he desir'd to hasten the peace he would discamp the next day and send Ambassadors to demand Clelia of the Senate Aronces thank'd with a joy surpassing all expression And accordingly the King of Hetruria made good his word discamping the day following and sending to demand Clelia of the Senate for the Prince his Son to the end she might be the confirmer of the peace The Senate receiv'd this proposition with joy and requir'd Clelia of Clelius who after he understood the truth of all things deliver'd her to them with the consent of Horatius Whereupon without further delay the Princess of the Leontines went to fetch Sulpicia and Clelia to conduct them to Clusium where the ceremony was to be accomplisht and whither Clelius went too accompani'd by Octavius Herminius Zenocrates Anacreon and his particular Friends As for Clelia she was accompani'd by Berelisa and Clidamira who were return'd from Praneste and Valeria for Plotina was so afflicted for the death of Amilcar that she fell sick upon it and could not go thither Assoon as Porsenna and all this noble and fair company were arriv'd at Clusium the Nuptials of Aronces and Clelia were celebrated in the the proud Temple of Iuno the Queen with incredible magnificence But to the astonishment of all the spectators as Aronces and Clelia were upon their knees before that famous Statue of Iuno Porsenna plac'd his Scepter upon the Altar as resigning his authority to the Gods from whom he held it and Galerita put a Crown of Flowers upon Clelia's head as declaring her Queen After which the Priest taking the Scepter presented it to Aronces who modestly refus'd it Nor would he accept the Soveraign Power which Porsenna hereby resign'd to him So that by this great action he made himself compleatly worthy of all the felicity he enjoy'd by the possession of the most vertuous person that ever was In the midst of this publick joy Amilcar had the honour to be much regretted Anacreon made Verses upon this happy Marriage and after eight intire days were spent in feasting and rejoycing Themistus Merigenes and their Friend went to seek Lindamira Artemidorus return'd to Leontium to make Berelisa his Princess there and to cause Lysimira to marry Zenocrates who recover'd the Principality of Herbesa which had belong'd to his Ancestors As for Clidamira though she was assur'd to marry Meleontus yet she was not so well contented as she seem'd Theanor and Aemilius obey'd the Gods and were happy the other Lover went to travel to cure himself of his passion And as for Herminius at his return to Rome Publicola gave him Valeria notwithstanding all the obstacles which oppos'd his happiness Hermilia had a great friendship for Octavius and Octavius for her but married not Collatina dy'd with sorrow for the the misfortunes of Titus and Plotina declar'd to all her Lovers that she would never marry It was known that the Prince who persecuted Cloranisbes was dead and Horatius as unhappy as he was nevertheless was so generous as to take care to cause Clelia's Statue to be erected according to the Vote of the Senate in the upper part of the sacred street near his own having this sad consolation to see that the tokens of their glory were at least in the same place But in acknowledgment of his generosity Aronces and Clelia sent to offer him their friendship so that after so many misfortunes these two illustrious persons saw themselves as happy as they had been unfortunate and saw nothing that could equal their felicity besides their virtue Clelia had a Statue at Rome Porsenna also caus'd one to be made for her before the stately Tomb which he had built and Anacreon put these Verses upon the pedestal of the Statue Tyber although a God amazed stood At that great Soul that durst attempt his stood And cry'd This sure must some new Venus be Born from my waves as she was from the Sea Thy form and courage Fame alike shall blow Till Rome to stand and Tyber cease to flow THE END