affaires to all I met Epicharis looking on Melintus ask'd him If you were in love would you not have a friend to be confident in I never knew any yet said Melintus I durst be assur'd of in so important a secret And doe you not thinke answer'd she Palamede loves you enough not to deceive you I should doe an injury said he to doubt of it but he might be deceiv'd himselfe and not thinking any thing discover that which I should have much adoe to keep secret my selfe And what would you thinke of me replies Epicharis that I might be brought to reveale any thing if you had trusted me with a secret that was to be kept with discretion I confesse to you answered Melintus that you are the onely person I dare be confident of for a thing that were so deare to me Let it not grieve you then said she taking hold of his hand that I am acquainted with the whole secret of your life but live most assured for all that that I would rather suffer death than one word to be drawne from me of that you desire should be conceal'd And because thereupon he stood still in a great amazement she added Melintus I had not so freely spoken to you but that I am resolv'd to employ my life at your service and I desire you to beleeve there is not a man I honour so much as I doe you and that my minde shall never be contented unlesse yours be so too since your interests so neerely concerne those of my Mistresse Melintus seeing how she knew so much as she did said to her Is it possible Epicharis she should tell you any thing of this for I beleeve you have perceiv'd nothing by me not so much as from my eyes Doe not seeke to informe your selfe said she how I come to know it let it suffice I am not ignorant either what you are or how vertuously you love her and I have no greater joy than when I hope my services may be of some use to you Then is my soule answered Melintus and my life in your hands but I am not sorry for it assuring you that next unto her there is not a person I esteeme as I doe you nor of whom I desire more to be esteemed Melintus replide shee beleeve this the affections I have to you are not of the common sort and if I doe you no extraordinary great services the fault shall not be for want of employing all the powers are in me I well know said he what you are capable of and I shall thinke my selfe happy in this onely that your will is good Palamedes returne brake off that discourse who came to tell them there was never a Ship in the harbour and that there was none expected there notwithstanding they determined to continue in that desart place untill there might some arrive About Noone Epicharis walking about met with a little house that leaned against the backe of the mountaine whereinto entring shee found an old man and his wife of the same yeares that got their living by making certaine houshold commodities of wood which they carried to sell at Cumae After she had inquir'd of their manner of life she perceiv'd they had two or three beds and ask'd them if they had any children Presently the teares came into the eyes of these good people and Epicharis desirous to know the cause of their displeasure they told her they had lately but one daughter remaining alive whose husband dying a yeare agoe left her two children and about a moneth since having them in the wood with her a shee-wolfe carried them away to be devour'd after shee had strangled the mother Epicharis lamented with them that accident and to stay their weeping gave them some money then she ask'd them if they would lend her the beds they had to spare for two or three dayes They offer'd her all their house and Epicharis well content that shee had found out a lodging whilest they could depart went to advertise Melintus and Palamede of her adventure and brought them to this poore house where they accommodated themselves as well as they might They lived on that they brought day by day from Cumae and one while Melintus another while Palamede went a horsebacke to the Port to see if there were any vessell come They passed thus eight or ten dayes with much incommodity and wearinesse for this stay was very grievous and deferr'd great joyes as well from them as from those they desir'd to deliver out of paine in Sicily One day as Palamede was at the Port of Cajette hee perceiv'd a man a horsebacke that look'd upon him all astonished he knew him to be Arcas and brought his horse close to his to embrace him The poore Arcas was so confounded that he durst not yet be sure it was Palamede and said to him Alas and is it you I am seeking for dead and doe I finde you living 'T is not a shadow answered Palamede thou seest but the good friend of thy Masters And what is become of him replies Arcas Hee is not very farre from hence answers Palamede and I long very much till hee see thee Arcas not able to recollect himselfe out of his amazednesse Palamede prayd him to come away to goe to Melintus The gods saves Arcas favour all your designes for the good newes you tell mee alas does my Master then live still and have the gods had care of your innocency I thinke the time long ere I see him and embrace his knees after so many feares and griefes that tormented me when I thought him dead They went on then in their way to goe to Melintus and in the meane time Palamede knew that his father and his sister were happily arriv'd at Syracuse and had nothing else to trouble them but the extreme displeasure for leaving him in so great danger But Arcas reserv'd the report of the voyage he had made since their landing at Syracuse where he had presently left them to returne to helpe his Master if he might be so happy as to come to him in time They went in such haste that they were soone come to the little house where Melintus and Eurylas being at the doore and seeing a man comming with Palamede afarre off knew not what to thinke but when they saw 't was Arcas they went for joy to meet him He cast him downe at his Masters feet and embrac'd his legges without being able to take himselfe off Alas said he my deare Master doe I see you once againe Melintus stooped downe also for to embrace him and with excesse of contentment held his head with both his hands at last he ask'd him how they did at Syracuse Very well answered Arcas and when they shall see you againe alive they will doe better yet But went he on with a great sigh how is 't possible you escap'd out of the Tower By the assistance of this young man sayes Palamede shewing him Eurylas to whom we
tyranny Dicearchus not willing to provoke the people made as if he were satisfied to see him absent and fifteene dayes after Hermocrates was forc'd to depart the City with Enphrosine his wife that was neere her time of delivery and certaine of his friends in which number was Diocles and I sayes Telephus to goe to Lylibeum and from thence to embarke for Carthage I have heard say indeed sayes I to Melintus interrupting him that Diocles and Telephus were of a contrary party to my uncle Dicearchus So goes the report sayes he and then replide Telephus added how Hermocrates left his country he had so loved with teares in his eyes and carrying away with him the best of his moveables bequeath'd the administration of all the goods he had in Sicily to Diocles and suffering him to goe but one dayes journey with him they parted but Telephus willing to accompany him as far as Lylibeum about evening Euphrosine fell into her paines of child-birth and was at night brought to bed of a sonne which about the place of his heart was found to have the marke of another heart Hermocrates sent with joy the newes to Diocles and withall advertis'd him of this mark and not willing afterwards to expose this infant to the incommodities of the sea prayed me sayes Telephus to carry him back to Siracuse and bring him up as my owne staying till the end of his banishment besides he said he was very glad he was borne in Sicily and should there also be bred I accepted continues Telephus this intreaty with joy O gods sayes I interrupting Melintus what great suspitions doe you put into me concerning Diocles Telephus and your selfe and what a change of things are these newes likely to breed Madam sayes Melintus you are not much amisse then hee goes on Telephus told me that after he had staied some time at Lylibeum while Euphrosine might endure the sea he tooke this little infant and return'd to Siraouse where finding his wife Hyperia that in like manner was delivered but of a dead child he supposed this in the stead for feare he might dye with griefe when her losse were told her which thing she soone beleev'd and they nam'd him together Melintus At that word Ah the gods Melintus cried I out can it be possible Madam sayes Melintus I wonder not at your surprize because mine was farre greater than when Telephus pronounc'd this name to me and added Since that my wife hath alwayes bred you as her owne sonne and your selfe can tell also if I have spared any thing to have you be instructed in what ever might adorne your birth And what is become of Hermocrates sayes Melintus Since his embarking answer'd Telephus we have heard no newes of him nor did he then land at Carthage and now Diocles thinking him dead and not knowing what you are hath usurp'd all your estate I did often tell him how he ought not to make any such pretence and yet never letting him know who you were And now a few dayes agoe seeing how by meanes of his riches he sought Dicearchus neece for his sonne I went to advise him not to dispose of any thing to the prejudice of Hermocrates and his sonne that was living but he did but mock me and demanded if I pretended not a part in that estate for the acquaintance I had of it that he would keep it well all to himselfe and that I should not be credited though I had a mind to reveale any thing I went away said Telephus calling him a dishonest man and assuring him the truth would come to light To day having heard how he advanc'd his affaires continually and taking no care of that I had told him I return'd to him and prayd him to beleeve I was no lyar and that hee would repent him of branding himselfe with so great an infidelity He continued his mockeries with so much pride and scorne that I was resolv'd to discover to you your fortune that together we might advise of the meanes how to oppose the enterprises of this man and the designes hee hath to retaine what belongs to you I was said Melintus so confounded at so many strange accidents that I was uncapable of considering what counsell were best to bee taken Neverthelesse I told him that if these things were true I should never want a heart to challenge my right that he would give me some time to â—â—â—sider thereupon for it was to be proceeded in with as much prudence as resolution Having approved my advice said Melintus I told him I would never leave calling him my father and honouring him as if he were so for the great obligations I had to him and he did also confirme to me all the assurances I could desire of his friendship swearing to me that if I could have no reason of Diocles he would not faile to divide his estate betweene his daughter and me as before I beleev'd he would doe neverthelesse that with the care we were to use in the businesse he hoped the gods would doe me justice By this continues he Madam you see how I was oblig'd to advertise you of what I have beene told I hope I have not offended you unlesse it were in speaking of Dicearchus in the termes were us'd by Telephus And you see how I put my life into your hands for if Dicearchus comes to know that I am the sonne of him he loved not it may be he will seeke my ruine but you may dispose of me as you please On the other side if I be to declare my selfe I make me enemy not only to Dicearchus but Diocles also and all those of their party but I will not feare any of these difficulties if you shall thinke it fitting I declare my selfe Hormocrates sonne of whom we have heard the people speake with so much sorrow and appeare to be descended of that illustrious bloud of Pyrrhus and Achilles and yet before I expresse my resolution to Telephus I desired to make a suit to you that I might know your purpose for if you intend to marry Amyntas never shall any besides you heare more of my fortune the estate I leave to him will be but the meanest losse I shall make in his prosperity I demand your counsell therefore Madam in what I am to doe and beseech you to let me know what you resolve concerning that marriage I promise you to satisfie what command you shall ordaine me although it were a forbidding me to live any longer Epicharis continued Ariana I sweare to thee I was confounded with astonishment and joy to see him advanc'd to a condition higher than I could have beleev'd but withall I admir'd his generosity with the love and respect he had to me and said to him Melintus if I find you true you may assure your selfe I will never marry an usurper of your estate Live in as great assurance as ever Dicearchus shall beare you no ill will for that knowledge I shall give him
him concerning the wayes he was to take in case they were retained by order of justice hee gave him as much money as hee could spare and when the night came they prepar'd to depart Ariana in like manner gave in secret to Epicharis some jewels shee had to serve her turne when she might have need of money and all of them taking their journey in the by-wayes of the Forest under the conduct of Arcas that had taken view of the passages of it in a little time they soone found themselves in the Champaigne from whence they began to see and smell the smoake of the City that still burnt In the midst of this horror they gave not over travelling on towards Ostia and a while after Aristides comming neare his daughter and missing Epicharis ask'd her where she was Ariana answer'd him shee thought she follow'd them they sought for her amongst the company and not finding her at all Aristides imagin'd shee lov'd Hermes and leaving the company had escap'd to follow him Ariana said she had not that opinion of Epicharis but that she was wandred about the wood and making as though she were in gteat trouble for her she desir'd they might goe back againe to seeke her Aristides being in a rage swore he would leave her since she might easily have followed the company if she had would and what ever displeasure Ariana shewed he would no longer delay the time for this maid Some return'd the way they had come but not having found her they did all continue their journey together Being happily arriv'd at Ostia they saw a man that brought newes how two Sicilians were taken and accus'd for setting Rome on fire and that they were now prisoners This a little eas'd their mindes to know they were living and yet they left not to have many feares for them but hoping in their innocency and not able then to give them any other remedy they imbarck't in the ship that had beene staied for them recommending Palamede and Melintus to the gods and passing the straight betwixt Reggium and Messina that separates Sicily from Italy landed safely at Syracuse When they were seene to arrive without Palamede and Melintus and their misfortune was knowne there was a publike mourning for it for they were both of them very well loved of the people and the consideration of Dicearchus Aristides and Telephus with the good will that all in particular bare to these two friends made the chiefe men of the City resolve to send in their favour an Embassie expresse to Nero and the Senate to make a representation of their innocence and obtaine favour at their hands endevouring to restore to Melintus the benefit they had received from him when he procur'd the exemptions Dicearchus desir'd to be chiefe of these Ambassadours and they hastened away because there was no time to lose but when they had passed to Reggium to goe by land to Rome they met there with Hermes that told them these deadly newes how Palamede and Melintus having beene examin'd a few dayes since and seeing how they were ready to be condemn'd by the expresse commandement of Nero were willing to prevent a shamefull death and had cast themselves downe into the Tyber from the top of the tower where they were prisoners This assurance he gave them turn'd their journey back againe and repassing to Messina they arriv'd by the same way they came at Syracuse where they possest all with sadnesse and confusion Aristides tore his haire and accus'd himselfe for having abandoned his sonne and his griefe was such that a very little while after it brought him to his grave Dicearchus resented this calamity in losing the dearest hopes of his house Telephus was touch'd with as great an affliction for Melintus as if he had beene his owne sonne but nothing was able to equall Ariana's griefe who under the pretext of her brothers death lamented besides the death of Melintus with the bitterest teares that love ever caus'd to be shed so as all places ecchoed with her plaints Alas said she now is the time I am certaine of my misery Miserable Rome that servest for a monument to my dearest pledges and must thou againe triumph over us and must the injustice that reignes with thee bring to ruine so vertuous an innocency O gods I how long will you suffer this cruell tyranny why swallow not you up that wicked nation or why these latter dayes did you not let them be devour'd in the flames they had prepar'd for us for to punish them by their owne villany Alas there was left enough of that wretched people to destroy the goodliest friendship that ever was Deare brother I shall never see you more and not seeing you I shall never more see what I held most deare in the world Wofull voyage disastrous counsell I gave my brother to goe see a City that subsists not but for the ruine of all things for since the time he came neere it what a traine of miseries have we had experience of and what blind fury lead us one after another to goe seeke out misfortunes at their fountaine and the place where vice and crimes are reigning with so much power and insolency at least when I was there arriv'd just heavens why did you not let me perish in the fire with them without making me survive the sole person of the world that made my life happy to me and desirable This faire Lady dissembled not such griefes as these in all companies because the cause of them was attributed to the great dearenesse that was betwixt her brother and her but her greatest sorrow was for not having any body to comfort her and discover her most secret griefes to She enjoy'd not now Epicharis nor her sweet consolation yet she had a little hope left still as long as she heard not the certainty of their death from the mouth of that wench She inquir'd privately of Hermes if he had not seene her and he told her how he had help'd to disguise her that they both went into Rome together that he had counsell'd her to goe find out Maximus and the rest of the friends Melintus and Palamede had and since that he had heard no newes of her and this put her into more trouble for Epicharis whose adventure had beene thus Before Aristides and Ariana were gone out of the wood she had acquainted Hermes with her purpose for being well assur'd of him to the end he might wait for her at the same place when she should have withdrawne her selfe from the rest foreseeing what need she might have of him both for getting out of the forest as to get clothes and advise together of the meanes how to helpe Palamede and Melintus she absented her selfe a little from the troope after she had kiss'd her deare Mistresse and embrac'd her then shee went to find Hermes that cut the rest of her haire for her and in the morning when they were at the woods end
vessell and going aboord it in lesse than an houre they lost sight of that land where they had runne so many fortunes making a thousand imprecations against it and all of them taking an oath never to see it more Being arriv'd at Messina they kissed their native soyle and prayed it to be more favourable to them the next day they went away betimes and in three dayes journey came something neare to Syracuse but the night overtooke them and the day after passing by the house Dicearchus had in the Countrey Palamede demanded if they would rest them there that he might againe see the place where he had spent so sweet houres with Epicharis Melintus liked not that motion and said they were not to lose any time to goe to Syracuse They continued their way and came to a hill that was of a good height with a wood by it and from thence they might begin to discover a plaine they were to descend to and the City of Syracuse it selfe Melintus who went some thirty paces before perceiv'd three men afoot arm'd and masked that made goe along with much rudenesse an old man with his eyes muffled and forced him to enter into that wood Hee spurr'd his horse to see what they would doe with that man and came neere to them just as they were going to kill him suddenly he tooke his sword in his hand and striking from his horse him that went to give the blow hee overthrew him to the ground the two others set on him behinde but turning about towards them with a reverse blow he cleft the head of one of them and laid him dead in the place The other came to him with a great deale of courage but Melintus made no great account of it having but him to combat with and gave him foure or five sound blowes with his sword in the meane time he that was overthrowne had got up and had shrewdly troubled Melintus but for Palamede who having seene his friend goe galloping away doubted some encounter and had followed him He came in just as this last man was comming to Melintus and made no great matter to defeat him for having brought him to the ground the second time he trode on him with his horse feet and ran him in three or foure places with his sword at the same time that his friend had made an end of killing the other Melintus presently alighted from his horse and tooke off their vizors to see if he might know them and he was strangely astonish'd when he saw they were Garamant and Toxaris their ancient enemies whose treasons they had now punish'd without thinking of them then he went towards the old man that had a venerable appearance but was so out of all heart expecting nothing but death that hee thought not of unbinding his owne eyes though he were left alone to himselfe Melintus and Palamede undid the napkin that covered his face and were in a great amaze to see that it was Dicearchus who dazeled with the light he so suddenly beheld and having still the image of death before his eyes said to them Alas will you have me see my selfe dye too Neverthelesse his sight restoring him he knew Melintus and Palamede whom hee thought dead which made him still more possest with trouble not well knowing whether he himselfe had not beene already kill'd and were now with them in the Elizian fields or whether their soules were not come to succour him And that which caus'd in him those doubts was that they on their part were amazed too and spake nothing but at length Palamede said to him Ah gods my uncle into what hands were you fallen Tell me rather answers he in what hands I am for the present in for I know not if I be among the dead or the living We are not dead sayes Melintus the gods have preserv'd our lives to save yours this day and I admire my good fortune for comming so timely in when they were going to strike a dagger into your bosome Was it you then replied Dicearchus that hindered that misfortune May the gods render you this benefit but I know not but you may also succour my neece Ariana who is within this valley in the hands of above twenty souldiers with Ericine your sister Let us goe cried out Melintus and keepe them from having any violence offered them and he would have parted that instant but that Dicearchus said to him Stay a while that we may advise what is to be done I am certaine they will doe them no harme because they stay for the returne of these you have slaine and then I shall have leisure to tell you the occasion of what is hapned to the end we may take counsell together then they were silent and he goes on You must know that this man shewing Garamant seeing how Ariana my neece had a great estate forbeing left sole inheritrix of Aristides and me by the death of Palamede which was thought most certaine was so insolent as to make her be demanded in marriage by this other call'd Toxaris and who at the same time made himselfe in love with Ericine your sister said he to Melintus I excus'd me the fairest way I could but they attributing this refuse to contempt made me at length be threatned that they would be reveng'd for this and they had such despight at it that this day to cut you short having knowne how I was to goe to my Countrey house with my neece and Ericine that accompanied her they way-laid us at this vale where having staied the Charet we were in they made mee come downe with a great deale of insolence and were resolv'd to come to cut my throat in this wood because said they I did alwayes seeke to revenge me of them and that if they would live at their case I was to bee taken out of the world In this designe they gave charge to the other souldiers of their company to attend them and keepe Ariana and Ericine well till they should be come backe from hence let us therefore see for the present what we have to doe for albeit your valour be great 't will bee a difficult matter to goe set upon so many men It is no matter sayes Palamede I hope we shall amaze them considering they have no more Commanders I am thinking replies Melintus on some other thing that will not be much amisse Let us put on the coats of Arms of these dead men take their vizors and their false haire and then goe to finde them out they being never able to doubt we be other than Toxaris and Garamant whom they stay for and so mingling our selves among them we shall have kill'd a number of them before ever they be perceiv'd what we are Palamede found this invention to be very good Dicearchus approv'd it too and Arcas being then arriv'd Melintus bade him put upon him one of those Coats of Armes as well as Palamede and he would doe to goe execute
not beleeve thee so wicked But what reasons canst thou alleage to colour the usurpation of what was his For if thou hadst no meaning to keepe it why didst thou mocke at Telephus when he advertis'd thee not to aspire to the daughter of Aristides by the support of those riches because Hermocrates sonne was living and if thou wouldst not beleeve that why didst thou not restore those goods to them of the race of Hermocrates since they belong'd not to thee See there then the treasures thou hast acquired without running Fortune either by sea or land see there the excessive gaine thou hast made returne of giving nothing in exchange for so many possessions but thy faith and thy conscience which thou hast forsaken This Trafficke was made within thy selfe and thou hadst nothing to doe but to deliberate whether to get that estate thou wert not to betray thy soule Thy avarice disputed against thy fidelity and the decree thy judgement gave in behalfe of it is the sole title of these new acquisitions But 't is but to abuse the cares of the Iudge and of the people to seeke for other proofes after a case so cleare it stands thee then upon to disavow the writing of Hermocrates and thy owne too and after that to report the titles of all thou art possess'd of and all this being impossible I demand of the Syracusians that they condemne thee to restore the goods thou injustly detain'st from me whereby I might from henceforth sustaine the quality of my birth and that they ordaine for thy infidelity that punishment it hath deserved When Melintus had made an end of his speech all the people began to clap their hands and to cry out Condemne Diocles but the Judges having made the noyse cease commanded him to speake Then he requir'd time for to consider upon his justification and said that hee could not answer in the field to all Melintus his impostures that he well knew how to defend himselfe from them but that he must have some leisure to make the falsnesse of what he had said appeare They gave him the writings that Telephus brought in and demanded of him if he knew them He could not disavow his owne hand-writing nor that of Hermocrates but hee said all this made not against him but that he might have gotten the goods before his depart The Judges enquir'd of him if he had the Contracts of the sale that passed betweene them He answered that they were at his house and that he onely desired time to produce them They order'd that hee should send his sonne Amyntas who was present to goe bring them but then he sayd they were not in place where he could finde them and that he himselfe had need of terme for to put them in order All these answers being but shifts and the people never ceasing to cry out against him the Judges assembled together to deliberate and after a long time speaking what they had to say some excusing Diocles that had to that time beene ignorant who Melintus was others shewing more severity and saying that how-ever the case stood he was willing to retaine what appertain'd not to him In the end the Magistrate pronounc'd this judgement That Diocles was condemn'd not onely to restore into the hands of Melintus all those goods he held of Hermocrates but besides to pay him the revenue for the time he had possessed them and that for the infidelity he had committed he was banish'd for three years The people by their applauses seemed to be well satisfied for this sentence and Melintus making a signe with his hand that he would againe speak all was silent and he said I have hitherto onely demanded justice of you and now I demand a grace at your hands which is to revoke the banishment of Diocles in my favour and for the revenue of my estate for the time that is past I give it to Amyntas whose good qualities I esteeme and will be a friend to him Every one having admired the generousnesse of Melintus towards the father and his liberality towards the sonne he obtained all that he desir'd and this last action brake off the assembly Melintus tooke Ariana's hand who was full of satisfaction for the happy successe of their desires and brought her backe to her house with Palamede and their friends Diocles full of sadnesse and shame retir'd him to his owne house not knowing whether hee were to complaine of Melintus or commend him from whom in so small a time he had receiv'd so many displeasures and so many graces Dicearchus who had not assisted at the playes because of his place which he quitted to his Nephew learn'd this newes of a friend of his that presently went his way to advertise him of it for to advise together how they were to live with Melintus since hee was knowne for the sonne of Hermocrates When they were upon that doubt Melintus comes in bringing Ariana Palamede made the recite to Dicearchus of all had passed and so to Melintus his advantage that he was oblig'd to confesse to him that he rejoyced for that good fortune But after all was retir'd when Palamede said to his uncle that they were to esteeme themselves very happy in this that nothing hereafter could be found wanting in Melintus for giving his sister to him since his birth and estate were as great as he could desire them to be Dicearchus answered how that deserv'd well to be thought of at leisure and for that time could get nothing else from him This acknowledging of Melintus for sonne of Hermocrates was cause of the death of two persons Diocles whether it were that he was seized with griefe for seeing himselfe fallen from so great a fortune or whether hee repented for having committed so great an infidelity was found dead the day after in his bed and Hyperia who till then beleev'd she possessed an inestimable good having a sonne so accomplish'd as Melintus receiv'd a farre greater affliction when she knew she was not his mother than she had done when the newes was brought her of his death and not able to resist this dolour lost her life some dayes after Melintus having much resented the losse of a person that held the place of a very affectionate mother to him could not for all that keepe any long time this displeasure in his minde being too much diverted by his hopes and seeing himselfe restor'd to the possession of all that could appertaine to him he thought nothing could now retard his contentments being assured of the affections of Ariana of Dicearchus and of Palamede He came every day to visit them and had conceiv'd too high an estimation of his felicity receiving every moment new testimonies of Ariana's love had it not beene for some coldnesse that Dicearchus made apparent to him though he endevour'd to hide it with a feined courtesie Pisistratus too rendred many duties to Ariana and Melintus seeing that Dicearchus made more esteem of him than
after I had bin to see Euphrosyne and carry her all things she might have need of I return'd to finde him and we parted from the haven together then having met with his other shipping that attended him we began to set saile The wind was so favourable that in a few dayes we passed round about the Peloponese and having pass'd the Egean Sea arriv'd happily in the Island where Eurymedon advis'd to land upon the coasts and not at the haven The shore was so desert as we had much adoe to find a man there that could tell us in what estate the affaires of the Countrey were neverthelesse in the end we encountred certaine persons that sought for a retreat in those inhabitable places who told us how a great number of Scythians were come to land in the Isle to pillage it and that the King Archelaus was resolv'd to give them battell having many stranger Princes with him that came to the deliverance of the Princesse Pasithea and were opportunely met with for the safety of the Island and expulsion of the Barbarians Eurymedon learning this newes could not tell what to resolve on he had a great desire to goe and present himselfe to the King to serve him in the day of battell but he fear'd his indignation Besides he knew not how to appeare at the combat without being knowne On the other side it was impossible for him to stay in the Countrey and not be met with either by the Scythians or Archelaus and we had in all but foure thousand men with which we could not resist a great Army at last he bethought himselfe of this subtilty You know he is very young and extremely handsome he resolv'd to disguise himselfe into a Maid so to goe finde the King before he could know him and to tell Archelaus that he was daughter to the King of Thrace whom the Scythians had massacred after they had pillag'd his kingdome and how she had found meanes to save her selfe out of their fury with a few souldiers she brought with her that seeking for refuge at his Court she was glad to finde occasion at her arrive to succour him and be reveng'd upon this cruell people for her fathers death His plot being thus laid he chose out the youngest of his souldiers to be disguis'd also and represent the Maids of her traine and because I have yet no haire on my face he prayed me to be one of that number By good fortune he had made some provision of womens clothes that were very fine having a designe to carry away Pasithea fearing she might need them going so unprovided away with him and this happened very luckily for him and us too I sweare to you when he had taken a juppe and drest up his haire which he wore very long in tresses I was deceiv'd in him my selfe and I know few women that would have exceeded him in beauty He arm'd himselfe onely with a corslet and a caske having his sword by his side and a javelin in his hand He commanded all those that were disguis'd with him to put themselves in the same equipage so we landed some horses out of the ships whereupon being mounted we went in good order in the head of our troops towards Mitylene We had scarce gone halfe the way when we perceiv'd armed horsemen that ran scatter'd about as if they were sufficiently out of heart wee stayed some of them that told us how the Armies of Archelaus and the Scythians were joyned and that the King was very neare to be defeated Eurymedon made the place be shewne him where the battell was given and presently he commanded us to advance and ayd that Prince We arriv'd instantly at a hill from whence we viewed the combat and having knowne the Kings troops that were in great disorder we ran to ayd them which we did so opportunely as the vanquished began to take heart againe Eurymedon in a moment open'd the Squadrons of the Scythians and his womans habit made his blowes appeare more marvellous I followed him close endevouring to imitate his valour and at last we came to the very strength of the battel where the King was fallen from his horse and defended onely with two or three souldiers that with much adoe sustain'd a great number of Scythians Eurymedon kill'd foure or five Barbarians that seem'd to be the most obstinate and while I undertooke the rest alighted from his horse and addressing himselfe to the King said to him Courage Archelaus assure thy selfe thou shalt this day be victor At the same time he help'd him up his horse againe and remounting upon his owne they went together to charge the Barbarians that began to tremble The King had alwayes his eyes fixed upon this unknowne warriouresse and knew not from whence this succours came He admir'd the blowes were given by the arme of this generous Maid and could not beleeve but that it was Pallas her selfe who was come to his defence I will not relate to you all the particular encounters of this battell in the end we remain'd vanquishers and after we were return'd from chasing the flying enemies the King receiv'd Eurymedon with as much respect as if he had bin a goddesse indeed but he not willing to keepe him in that errour told him he was the daughter of the King of Thrace with all he had premeditated adding that he never receiv'd so much joy as in punishing these Barbarians for the death of his father Archelaus tooke the boldnesse then to embrace him in quality of a Princesse and told him that since he had drawne so great an advantage from her fathers calamity and her owne he intreated her in like manner to dispose of all she had conserv'd to him Great King said this disguis'd Princesse I demand nothing of you but a retreat within your territories and that I may live with you in a ranke worthy of my birth The Prince that already felt himselfe touch'd with love sayes to her that it was in her owne power to hold the highest degree in his kingdome her sex was capable of and that hee would make her Mistresse of his estates and of his person too if it pleas'd her Eurymedon would not lose this occasion and said to him The fortune I am in forbids me to hope for such an honour neverthelesse since that you are in permits you all things I accept the offer you make me and I intreat you well to remember your selfe of it when I shall challenge you of your promise He sware to her he would never faile her and that it would be no difficult matter for him to effect what he desired himselfe with so much passion Many Princes arriv'd at the same time and seem'd to desire something of the King who seeing their impatiency told Eurymedon that had nam'd himselfe Hermione how these Princes expected his judgement because he had promised them that he that shewed the most valour that day should have in marriage the Princesse
agreeably she tooke those words and prayed her to sweare Eurymedon should be her husband I doe sweare it sayes she betweene your hands and I promise you to give myselfe to him as soone as ever the King shall have given his consent Then they gave one another their hand and kissed a long time afterwards that discourse being ended Pasithea spake of the griefes she had receiv'd in this prison whence Hermione promis'd she should very speedily be delivered if the King kept his word with her Eurymedon was so rapt with seeing his deare Mistresse and for the errour he kept her in that he never ceased expressing a great contentment to her and failed not to take as many kisses as by time she gave him occasion But he would proceed farther yet and having signified to Pasithea how willing he would be to be delivered of her fathers entertainments for a day or two he so wrought with her as the Princesse thought good he should send to the King to aske leave of him that she might lye that night with his daughter the Princesse because she could not see her sufficiently to her desire I was went Amyntas on the chiefe Maid of Hermione's traine and was chosen to goe to King Archelaus who willingly agreed to what Hermione desir'd upon condition she returned the day after I brought them this newes that was received with a great deale of joy of them both but of Eurymedon most who under this disguise hoped to receive the dearest favours of his faire Mistresse All the evening they ceased not entertaining one another with much satisfaction and night being come we undressed them Pasithea's Maids had no sooner taken off what covered her necke but Hermione brought her mouth thither and told her that her brother had reason to be so passionately in love with her and shee would never repent her selfe for having attempted to serve him for so faire a subject Pasithea received those kindnesses and speeches with a great respect and at last we put them into the bed together It had beene easie for mee to have lien also with one of the Princesse Maids but though my will had beene good I could not have had the leisure for presently wee heard Pasithea cry out I went with her Maids to see what had happened to her and when we were about her I found her in great trouble to know what she should complaine of for Eurymedon having told her what he was and press'd her extremely to grant what he desir'd shee thought but to have rid her selfe out of his hands yet shee would not accuse him before the Maids for feare the King knew what tricke was played upon him At last shee resolved to feine that she was taken with violent paines that made her cry out on that fashion and she said that for feare of troubling Hermione she went to retire into her Maids Chamber Eurymedon seeing her resolution durst not keepe her by him and shee getting out of the bed went and lock'd her selfe up in a Chamber where we could not see her untill the next day He imparted to me all his secrets and told me that very night that having declared himselfe to the Princesse she was extremely offended with his boldnesse and though hee laboured to vanquish her by representing how she had given him her faith and the King had given them leave to lye together yet she would never heare him In the end that having enterpriz'd to employ some enforcements for not losing so faire an occasion she cryed out to have some body deliver her out of his hands He was afraid she had beene very angry with him but I assured him hee needed not feare it and that since she had the temper not to accuse him before her Maids it was a signe shee had still a great affection to him The next day hee found to be true what I told him for feining to goe see how she did she let her selfe a long time be entertain'd by him and received all his excuses then resolved to be carried away into what part of the world he would bring her upon charge that he attempted nothing untill they were married together by her fathers consent Eurymedon was at last constrain'd to leave her to goe to the King againe wee parted from the Castle and went to the Palace of Archelaus who testifying much joy to see Hermione ask'd her if his daughter had entertained her as she deserved You have answered shee the loveliest daughter in the world and you may judge if I were not satisfied with her when yesterday was not sufficient for me to enjoy her company but I must have the night added to it The King replied Has shee not made you many complaints of mee Contrariwise returned Hermione wee ceased not commending you for the permission you gave us for never had two persons so much inclination to love one another I rejoyce exceedingly said Archelaus to have any thing proceed from mee that is agreeable to you and shall be very well pleas'd she may keepe you company and serve you all her life time They had besides some other such like entertainments after which Eurymedon sent me to his troops to advertise them to make ready to depart and that in the meane time they should have a great care not to discover him I met in the streets with him you had sent us said Amyntas to Melintus who had never knowne mee in the habit I was in but I was very glad to finde him because enquiring after Eurymedon hee might peradventure have given some suspition I made my selfe knowne to him and he told mee the place where you were and for what cause you sent him I promised him to speake of it to Eurymedon and to dispose him to bring you his forces when we had taken away the Princesse and having conducted him to our shipping I gave him charge to attend me there When I was return'd to Eurymedon he received much joy to know in what place you were and to have the meanes to ayd you for having the Princesse away with him he might commodiously enough goe land in Thessaly neverthelesse we referr'd the deliberation of all things till wee saw Pasithea The next day hee returned to see her and after a thousand expressions of kindnesse hee imparted to her the newes hee had received from his dearest friends who stood in need of his succours and told her that if shee pleased they would goe away together into Thessaly which was a very fit place for their retreat Shee consented to all hee had a minde to and because shee was the day after to be set at liberty they advised to send mee to you before to tell you that within two dayes after they hoped to arrive here for being both of them at libertie they might feine to goe a walking together out of the Towne and so goe aboard the Ships that were kept ready for their depart I was impatient untill I saw you to bring this newes