the prejudice of the Kingdome and their Subjects Rewards and Punishments are be-bestowed at randome Bribes overcome all difficulties nor is there a greater Desert then that of Riches Justice in that Kingdome hath eyes and hands There is no Religion but in habite and that for the most part so lascivious that it equals those of the most publick Courtezans Vertue which usually in that Kingdome attained to the Crowne is reduced into such a Contempt that either it is not known or if known despised Hypocrisie possesseth a great part of those that desire to deceive the people They endeavour the suppression of truth and there prohibite Pens and Pensils They forbid to others those things which they would enjoy alone and with the greatest severity punish those faults which they themselves are guilty of In briefe the most execrable Crimes and the most detestable by the Laws of Nature and the World are in this Court become naturalized Upon good Reason I can affirme so much having to my owne perill had tryall of them all To please the insatiability of those who deprived me of mine owne promising me what belonged to others in a short time I found my selfe made a scorne to the Covetousnesse of those impious ones who so extreamly hate Poverty that they cannot as much as endure it in others I was constrained to depart thence food failing me to sustain life withall The promises of my King vanishing together with that allowance which he owed me upon all Obligations But there is no reason that is prevalent with the powerful I retired into the Island of Roses where betaking my self to Navigation altogether clearing my minde of those hopes which were able to disquiet me I passe away my years in felicity They were in this while advanced a great way in their voiage and entred into the Archipelago when they discovered a Fleet which made them put a period to their Discourses They that stood Sentinell gave notice that they disoovered a number of Sailes so great that a greater had never been seen upon those Seas and that by their Streamers they appeared to be of Thracia Dorcone troubled at this Newes proceeded on in such an anxiety that he knew nor what to imagine but this change continued not loog For two Galleyes putting forth to know the Vessell and hardly understanding their King was aboard it but signe being given of it to the Navy there was not any demonstration of joy omitted The Duke of Nicopol is with all the other Knights came to receive him whereupon entring upon the Admirall he enquired the cause of their sayling When he understood it he began to thank the Gods that had exceeded him in his desires He acquainted them with his Thoughts and so without any delay they went on towards the Kingdome of Cyprus They sailed sixe daies and there wanted not two houres of determining the night of the seventh when the Fleet entred into the Port of Cromia distant from the City of Cury halfe a League scituated on the top of the Cape towards the West Although the Souldiers were prepared for battell they found no impediment that might prohibit their Landing King Vassileo being ascertained of this evill that was neare him by the preparations of so powerfull an enemy his sorrowes for the death of Draned being for the most part past over a new hurt frequently occasioning the forgetting of the paine of others betook himselfe to the defence of his Kingdome He confirmed Viralto the Duke of Filena in the Generalls place although he urged to it by Floridea had attempted all meanes possible to be dispensed with The King would have the opinion of his Councell about the state of this War so much the crueller by how much the unjuster There were divers opinions and many not without Interests Those that had possessions the nearest to the enemies violence eagerly maintained that they ought to impedite his Landing These were their reasons That it was not fitting at the beginning of a War to shew any signe of feare shutting themselves up within Walls erected only for the weaknesse of those minds that dare not make a wall of their own breasts against the courage of their enemies That keeping the Thracians by strength some daies at sea they might be constrained to suffer those discommodities that peradventure might have the power to perswade them into new deliberations That they ought not to abandon without bloud a thing so deare to them as the Port neither was it reasonable to lose it without danger Perhaps the Thracians having experimented our Force will repent them of the Enterprise There is not any thing that alters minds more than perill To concede ones owne to an enemy without blowes is to encrease his pride by the cowardice of our own Souldiers That the Thracian being kept aloofe at Sea will suffer the incommodities of hunger which being permitted to Land he will make us undergo These reasons though they were lively prevented by those to whom their own interests added the more carnestnesse did not attaine perswasion the Baron of Acamara speaking to the contrary with his utmost eloquence It is a rashnesse he said to contend against impossibility we must leave the Port free to our enemies because we have not Forces to defend it The reasons alleadged were probable if the Island of Cyprus had but one only Port But having so many which of them shall we defend The Thracian Fleet is so numerous that they divided can assaile us in divers parts On the other side we have not so many men that we can part them In my opinion it will be the surest way to preserve our Souldiery in the principall Cities untill wisdome or fortune shall afford us an occasion to attempt greater matters If by Armes we should oppose their landing we should have our enemies in our face Leaving them the Port and the Field fighting them they will be alwaies divided The Souldiers will the rather stick to our defence seeing that we would not have our security by their danger The Cities are well stored with provisions for life and Ammunition for war Is it possible then in the meane while that our miseries should not awaken the pity of those who feare the greatnesse and the ambition of the Thracian I beleeve the Embassage destined to the King of Egypt will not prove fruitlesse The King of Arabia would not see our oppression Mauritania and Gorsica doubtlesse willstir in our defence In the meane while to keep our Forces entire is the most secure way It will alwaies be time enough to hazard them Valour consists in fighting not in precipitating Let us let our enemies land it being an act of prudence to leave that which cannot be held without perill This is my opinion who have no Interest greater than that of the publike safety Notwithstanding I alwaies reserve my selfe to an obedience of what your Majesty shall command There was not any that had the confidence to oppose those
that he provided them and with nourishing them in their vices In briefe he did not neglect any of those Arts which might facilitate his tyranny The Nuptials of the Princess with the Armenian interposed the course of his pretentions whereupon he applied his mind to a wickednesse more execrable In conclusion when a perfidious mind is disposed to mischiefe all the stops in the world are not availeable sufficiently to stay it The Count had been twice in Thracia the first time with his Father about State Affaires The other time alone to congratulate the comings of the new King to the Crown of his Ancestors Amuritte for so the King was called had many times been in Cyprus when his Fathers Palace was infested by the malice of his Domesticks He appeared to the Count as an excellent instrument to perfectionate his hopes He advertized the Thracian by a Messenger dispached on purpose That the Kingdome of Cyprus at the least beck of his Majesty was ready to fall into his hands That the People were ill contented with King Vassileo's Government the Commonalty grown Cowards the Forts without defence the Souldiers under him the Arms in his Command the Seas and Ports in his Custody That he was not provoked to this by any other end but that he would not obey a King who was a stranger deformed in mind and in body That seeing the Kingdom must be altered he did rather choose to make gift of it to his Majesty a Prince of whose greatnesse he had made experiment as also of his vertues then to give obedience to a Man who came to the Throne before he had learnt the Rules to governe by That if his Majestie was pleased with the offer and this resolution of his heart he would request nothing for his service but the Princesse to wife with the Kingdome in dowry and that he and his Successours would hold it of the Thracians and pay them homage with a very great tribute He added that to raise a great Army would without any benefit to himselfe beget suspicion in his confining Princes That in the suddenness of this consisted the accomplishment of the enterprise he now needing but to steale it and not to fight for it That only two Gallies would be more than enow they being certaine to find no resistance That he might disguise the cause of his Arrivall with a pretence either of friendship or of chance He omitted not other particulars and other instructions which might render him the more easie to consent to him Ill men never want meanes to give effect to their wickednesse One Morning with two Gallies becoming the merit of his Greatnesse the King of the Thracians appeared in the Port of Arsinoe The King Vassileo with some amazement received newes of the Arrivall of this Prince although the designe never fell within his thoughts Order was given to the Admirall as one best known to the Thracian to receive him Their meetings though on a sudden was most magnificent the Horse innumerable and the Traine infinite The King came to Land with but fifty of the most Noble and the most couragious youths of Thace with a great deale of affection he welcomed those that came to him by the appointment of his Majesty to whom he returned thanks for the honours he received of them His Entertainment was at the Charges of the Republick But after three daies he would not permit it saying he had given way to that as a signe of his liberty which was prepared for his Honour The day after he was waited on to the King Vassileo who received him at the foot of the Staires There he used such words and expressed such things as would have beguiled Providence it selfe Among other things he said He was come to adore that Sun that not scorning his misfortunes by a benigne influence of it had blessed him with prosperity That he rejoyced at the Matrimony of the Princesse with the Prince of Armenia adding that he could not containe himselfe for joy in seeing the Age of so worthy a King extended by it to eternity but said he it was never subject to yeares he for his wisdome being never young That he was above Fortune who in despite of it knew to choose himselfe so deserving a Son That the principall cause of his comming was to serve his Majesty in those Feasts which Fame and not without good reason had spread through the greatest part of the world And that he came not as a King but as an Adventurer the merits of the two Princes being such as would compell any body to any disguise to do them service He omitted not other particulars expressed with so much Affection that Adulation and Dissembling won him Affection and an high welcome After some returne of thanks King Vassileo answered him That he the rather desired to be eternized in those Nuptials of his Daughter because they would report to his Posterity the Obligations which he owed to the Love of so great a King That he received the honour of this visit as an Act proper to the King of the Thracians For he knew nothing in himselfe worthy to deserve such Graces but the ardent affection he bore him These Complements being past they went both of them to the Princess And it was observed that the Thracian stood in amaze at her beauty not believed such by him before having seen her only when she was a Child There after some expressions how welcome he was he told her his coming was to wait on her at her Wedding and then jested with her at the stay of the Armenian offering himselfe to be her Knight untill his returne The Princesse replied to all with so much expression of kindnesse and gentlenesse that her words conquering his resistance betraied his heart Finally after they were parted the Thracian remained no lesse satisfied at the Kings entertainment than he was astonished at the Beauties of his Daughter From day to day they continued to oblige themselves with so high expressions that their Subjects flatterers of their Princes disposition feasted them perpetually now in the City now upon the Galleys nor neglected any thing that might be a signe of their friendship and good will The Admirall in the meane while prosecuted his plot with such circumspection that there was not any body that suspected him One day while the Thracian understanding the Armcuian Princes arrivall with foure Galleys was neare fearing some stop should fall betweene him and his hopes he gave the last assay unto his wickednesse He invited King Vassileo the Princess and some of the Court to a Fishing which he appointed to be made according to the Custome of his Countrey He had been other times on the Sea with his Majesty whereupon there was not any that doubted of his Faith And the rather because he had disposed for this businesse but one only Galley leaving his other in the Port and having with a specious Apparance divided his men into small Barkes brought
one or not suspecting it for an enemy Their Admirall was presently charged for their other would make no defence being hardly able to swim much lesse to fight The Thracians making weake resistance Diaspe entred the Galley making that slanghter which their perfidiousnesse deserved Amuritte being certified his Galley was taken ran to the succour of his despite of the Physitians who protested against his life He encouraged the Thracians and for a while heartned them to fight But they being unable to resist so great a multitude fell down all either dead or to render themselves Prisoners He only obstinate in fight after having shewne many signes of an extraordinary valour fell breathing out his soule from a mighty wound Diaspe had given him in the Breast Such was the end of Amuritte the King of the Thracians worthy truly for his many vertues of a more honourable death if his dishonesty and ambition had not transported him upon such a Precipice Diaspe came to kisse King Vassileo's hand who received him with such a welcome as they deserve who save the lives of Kings Dianea apparelling her affection in the habit of Gratitude could not satisfie her selfe in honouring him We returned to Cyprus where the Consolations and Applauses of the Court were infinite For upon such occasions also those that hate are obliged to demonstrate a joyfulness lest they shew their perfidiousness All the Kindred of the Count of Cithera absented themselves that his Majesty should take no other revenge of them and to remove any suspition of intending mischiefe The Thracian Galleys with the body of Amuritte were sent to Nicepolis with a true relation of what had passed But I know not for all that whether his mother brother gave credit to the truth who believes he is offended cares not for the cause Diaspe would not aske the Princess in marriage untill the arrivall of his whom he shortly expected He knew the ill inclination of the Court who envying and hating his valour could not but with mortification behold the King and Princess to honour him They supposed that stolne from themselves which his Majesty conferred upon others either for thankfulness or munificence The Dutchess would have proceeded in a discourse of those who either by power or riches had rendred themselves formidable even to King Vassileo himselfe who because he durst not punish them dissembled their faults but perceiving that the Princess gave signes of weariness and that she difficultly kept her eyes open that combated with sleep she broke off her Rclation both of them betaking themselves to a most sweet repose The End of the First Book DIANEA The Second Book THE Sunne was hardly to be discern'd upon the Tops of the Mountaines spreading abroad some starres of Light as Forerunners of his Arrivall when Dianea arose wearie of her bed which that night had brought more trouble then repose to her Shee apparrelled her selfe with such Vestments as beseemed her greatness not accustoming her selfe to the superfluity of those Ornaments wherewith the Ladies of these dayes following the vanity of their Genius unprofitably waste their times and lives Her face was without Art the colours not affected Her haire curling by Nature was gathered up and bound under a very thin vaile all beset with Jewels A shame to those of our age who to seem beautifull when they are not care not to appeare rather Pictures than women and to rob Sepulchers of their spoiles to deceive the eyes and judgements of those that looke on them When she was ready she commanded her Damsels to withdraw feigning her wonted Devotions Being left alone she entred into the Cave just as the Princesse had done dressing of her There after some courteous salutations she asked her how shee had passed that night in a place so below her Desert whiles she disturb'd with a thousand Passions her selfe had not for one minutes time given her eyes any repose The Princess answered she had never taken better rest having cast wholly from her memorie her former miseries finding her selfe to have so large a part in the affections of so great a Princesse That now if she was oppressed with any thought it proceeded from doubt that she had been troublesome to her and that she had nothing to express her self how gratefull she was for the Honours she had received They pass'd forward into divers Complements repleat with love and gentleness when Dianea said That having given some Truce to her owne particular Passions she had worn away a great part of the night in thinking of her That to be as it were buried in Troubles and Dangers the Discoverte of it would finde some advise to facilitate it with satisfaction And that therefore she entreated her to relate to her the Condition of her Fortune and the Accidents of her life From whence with better Counsell and more mature Deliberation they might lay hold on more proper and necessary Remedies The Princesse reply'd that she had an ambition to recount to her the Encounters of her miseries who would commiserate and assist her That in misfortunes there is found no greater Consolation then in the pittie we perceive in others Many times their Teares blesse Infelicity that compassionate it Here for a while she made a stop as if she would take breath or as if she waited for new commands But not being interrupted she thus began her discourse while Dianea attentive hung at her lips The Historie of the Princesse Florides and Prodito THE Island of Negropont for the greatness and the noblenesse of it is Queen of the Archipelagus It is separated from Paeotia by a long Channell which joynes it with the firme Land There I was borne King Dinanderto's Daughter that then to the comfort of his Subjects and admiration of his Neighbours govern'd the Scepter Among his many conditions that rendred him to Adoration his Goodness was one through which many times he did not onely forget injuries received but with an unbelieved courtesie loved those that hated him In the first yeares of his Reigne he enlarged the Confines of his Empire so prosperously that it seemed Fortune in a Dreame had subjugated Provinces to him All that confin'd to him hee had made his Tributaries and had borne so successefull Armes that his Conquests crowded one another where also many times his owne souldiers found Sepulchers of glorie He after fixed his minde upon higher Attempts designing perhaps the recovery of that which either by Fortune of warre or other alienation had been usurp'd from the Crowne of Negropont But on the suddaine he was constrained to call back his Forces to the defence of his owne State invaded by most powerfull Armies of Lodaso King of Vesati the most warlike that ever was borne of that Nation the fiercest and most formidable in the world The Reasons that moved this man to invade us were supposed many But the principall waâ— Some of my Fathers Subjects who aspired under new Princes to mend their Fortunes or who
of their perill began in a great measure to calme their anger But their miseries were redoubled on them when they were certified that Fire had taken possession of their Fleet. Such a multitude of Galleys were on a sudden come upon them that the Thracians not having time to weigh Anchor or to retire into the Sea were become a prey to fire which in a mightie quantitie was thrown upon them Although the distance was of many miles those terrours were neverthelesse heard which declaring the burning rendred the dammage irreparable Their feare was encreased upon them when they understood that the enemies who had made the fire in a grand number being landed were marching thence to fall upon them This was Astidamo King of Create who joyfull that he had found her alive without whom he could not live had resolved to returne into his Kingdome Whilest they were in their voyage by asking after newes they understood the destruction of the Kingdom of Cyprus made by the Thracians That all the firme land of the Island being lost Arsinoe only held out besieged by so many Armes and so many Armies that it could but a little longer resist the force of so many enemies That the Armeniuns the Scythians the Macedonians with many other Princes had declared themselves against King Vassileo and to their detriment had raised Money and Souldiers Dianea at these newes was not able to stop her teares that in abundance fell to vent forth the passion of her mind casting her selfe at the Kings feet she said to him I supplicate Astidamo over whom my affection presumes to find some desert Sir If I should not love my Father I were unworthy to be yours and in the same time to live You your self would but be a shadow of that heart that had not affections for him who hath given me my being If I had no other reason to love him I have that of his begetting me to be yours His having condemned me to death alters not my love I rather glory to be daughter to a Father who had rather punish his Child than derogate from Justice That mind should not be but celebrated which condemnes it selfe not to leave Crimes unpunished At this present that he is exposed to the invasion of Barbarians to the power of the Thracians who boast to impose servitude upon Cyprus I beseech you by that affection that interests you to afford aide to my affaires which at other times you haue not known how to refuse to him Permit not O magnanimous that these wicked ones should vaunt to have the Father of her Prisoner to whom you have acknowledged your self so many times a Prisoner Besides how could you rejoyce in my embraces which would be continually sadded by my feares I need not add that the Kingdome of Cyprus is mine after the death of my Father because where my entreaties prevaile it is not fit that Interest should plead a Title So much the rather because the greatness of your mind receives not an alteration from those lownesses that reign only in vulgar bosomes I know if Cyprus should fall under the subjection of the Thracians Creete would not be secure from the ambition of those who would enlage the mightinesse of their Empire beyond the Confines of the World But of this also I need not use a word to that heart which hath never been capable of feare and which rejoyces that others conquer to make his own triumphs the more glorious Let this only be an Adjunct to the immortality of your name that you have twice delivered Cyprus from the barbarismes of the Thrasians and given twice life to a King when he the least hoped for it and least deserved it Dianea hath never entreated Astidamo without being heard I assure my selfe the more in it because I supplicate for a Father Astidamo embraced her saying to her Dianea I was unwilling to interrupt you extreamly rejoycing in your piety The tendernesses shewed toward your Father confirmes my opinion that you know how to love I glory that the heavens have vouchsafed me the possession of a mind which forgets not the Obligations of Nature Not to have a memory for injuries is proper to your generosity The wrongs a Father doth should not beget anger in those that receive them The earth at no time hath reason to complaine of the Lightnings that Jove throws on it I will go to the succour of your Father because it is not convenient that any beloved by you should be in danger to be lost I know that beauty will carry felicity into that Kingdome which undergoes so many miseries only by reason of your absence He speedily commanded that their Voyage should be directed towards Cyprus Fame giving out that having obtained a Wife he went to get possession of her dowry To the Souldiers he promised the spoyles of the Thracians proposing one other intervall to the victory but till he met with the enemy Favoured by the Sea and the Winds they arrived upon the Fleet which under the Command of the Count of Brandilia was dispersed into the Ports without feare and without defence The Thracians beheld at one and the same time the Fire Armes and Death The Count was busie in play with all the other prime men that had Command in the Fleet in a Galley far distant from the rest Being informed of the fire not willing to leave off play he being a winner commanded it should be quenched supposing it kindled by accident through the carelessnesse of the Galeyots or Marriners Being assured the Navy was assaulted by enemies now perswaded the winds could not have such force he would not nevertheless stir until the violence of the fire represented the inevitable danger to him Then necessity rendring him a certainty of his neglect he consented not to retire or flye much more fearing the displeasure of the King than death Perceiving the flames unextinguishable and defence impossible he commanded his Galleots they should charge upon one of those Galleys whilest he himselfe resolved to dye on the weapons of some worthy person There was not any there that would understand or that would obey him Feare had so daunted the minds of them all that to avoid the fire they leapt out to swim finding no defence but in desperation The slaughter was great whilest both Elements conspired to the dammage of the Thracians Astidamo victorious without delay made his Souldiers go a Land understanding by his Scouts the discord that was in the Campe in the Enemies Army heightning his courage he said to his On O valorous Let us pursue the Victory Here is neither danger nor labour in assaulting those who are overcome by their own discords Being at division among themselves they will bring confusion and terrour among themselves They were infinite in number but there hath hapned such a slaughter among them that they will not any more have strength to make resistance The prime Chieftaines that rendred that Army formidable are killed by