presently repent it with a blow of this Cup I hold in my Hand Then Pelorus looking upon his Companions You see said he what recompence our Labours are to expect thus you shall one day see your merits frustrated of the reward of your virtue and be as I am Slaves to this tyrannical Law Now Nausicles what do you imagine became of these Pirates after Nausicles had spoke these words you would have compared them to a calm ea swell'd with the sudden Tempest such a Blind and Brutish motion in an instant put them into so wild a tumult inflamed with Wrath and Wine as if some fury had possest them some rank'd themselves upon the part of Trâ—chinus and cryed the Captain ought to be obeyed others sided with Pelorus saying the Law of Piâ—acy ought to stand In the end Tracâ—inâ—s lifâ—ed his Hand to strike Pelorus with the Cup he held but Pelorus that was prepared before broke the effect of his fury and struck a Ponyard to his Heart so as he fell down mortally wounded but a cruel War kindled and continued amongst the rest inter-murdering one another without giving any quarter some as revenging the Death of their Captain others as defending Pelorus in his just quarrel The crys of Men and sounds of Levers Stones Cups Tables the Wounders and the Wounded made one fearful groan but I retiring a great way off stood upon the rise of a Hill and thence beheld this furious spectacle yet neither Theagenes nor Chariclea were exempted from the danger but following what was determined he with his Swâ—â—d in 〈◊〉 Hand joyn'd himself to one of the Factâ—â—â— aâ—â—he beginning and fought as if some fury had transported him and she after she saw the Fight begun shot from the Ship loosing her Arrows with a constant Hand and sparing no Man but Theagenes she never took her Aim amiss every shot she made was Death Neither did she only gall the one side of the Battel but both indifferently nore of the Pirates seeing her yet she clearly beholding them by the light of the great Fire of the Pile yet burning so as they could not imagine whence their Death came but thought it to be some Plague from Heaven To conclude the War consumed them all and only Thâ—agâ—nes remained fighting single with Pelorus an able and resolute Man and one that had been flesh'd and bred up in Murders And now Chariclea's Shooting could no longer avail her Theagenes grieving she could not assist him but the fear she had to miss her Aim did hold her Hand inasmuch as they fought so close the Eye could hardly distinguish them In the end Pâ—lorus was forced to give ground before him for when Chariclea saw her Arrows could do him no more service she sent her words to his Succour crying to him Now my best Friend shew your Courage At the hearing of these words his strength redoubled to which Pelorus was not able to make resistance longer as if the voice of his Mistress had infused new vigour into him letting him know the reward of his Victory was yet living For now resuming the heat of his first Spirit tho broken and weigh'd down with many Wounds he made a blow at Pelorus with his Sword full aâ— his Head which he hoped to cleave a sunder as assuredly he had done if the Pirate had not declined his Neck yet he escaped not for the Sword descending took away the top of his Shoulder and falling right upon the Elbow joynt of his Sword-hand cut it quite off then Pelorus fled to save his Life Theagenes following him What the sequel was I cannot tell you but that I saw not when Theagenes returned for remaining upon the riâ—e of the Hill I dared not to stirr in a place full of Enemies by Night when my Friends could not know me but Chariclea was more bold and it seems more quick sighted for with the first dawning of the light I perceived Theagenes lying stretched out upon the Earth like a Dead Man and saw her sitting and Weeping over him with evident demonstrations that she intended to kill herself but that some little hope of his revival restrained her as yet and held her Life in equal suspence with his But I unfortunate Man had not so much as time to speak to them to sweeten their Calamities with my words or to apply remedy to his wounds so fast did the evils at Land without a breathings space succeed to those at Sea For at the first Spring of the Morning as I was descending from the Hill where I had pitched for that Night I saw a Troop of AEgyptian Theives running from the top of the Mountain that lyeth along that Coast who presently seized upon my poor Children taking them away and all the Riches they could carry out of the Ship I spake afar off to them and in vain bad them farewel that could not hear me deploring their Fortunes and my own but neither being able to defend them or holding it good to go and mix with them I reserved my self to hope to succour them some other way And indeed it was not in my power to do them present service being left far behind my Age like a heavy burden not suffering me to march so quick a pace as those AEgyptians that mounted and descended by strange Paths and through Wild places Now by the Mercy of the Gods and your favour worthy Nausicles I have found my Daughter then lost having contributed nothing to her recovery but my abundant Sighs Tears and Lamentations Speaking these words he wept all the Company were forced to do the like changing their Feast into a Sorrow intermixed with joy for Wine intenerates the Eyes and makes them apt to Tears and they were not able to contain their flux of pity till Nausicles spake thus to confort Calasiris Father said he chase away these sad conceptions and fill your Heart with Joy since you have now recovered your Daughter and that only one Night remains to interpose it self betwixt you and the contentment you shall receive in beholding your Son for to Morrow Morning we will Ride to Mitranes and deal with him all possible ways for the redeeming of your beloved Theagenes O may the Gods be so favourable replied Calasiris but now it is time to dissolve the Feast let us therefore give thanks to the Gods and drink at parting so Wine being brought taking their leaves they drank to one another and so did rise from the Table But Calasiris looking about for Chariclea and not finding her in the multitude was greatly perplexed till at length a certain Woman advertized him that she saw her enter the Sanctuary of the Temple He presently ran thither and found her prostrated at the Feet of an Image where by reason of the length of her Prayers and the weight of Sorrow that lay upon her Heart she was faln into a Swoon Then after he had shed some Tears and humbly conjured the Gods to change the rigour of
Gentleman not putting any surer guard upon them then their own weakness and hasting to the Ship they unladed her every man carrying out as much Gold Silver Precious Stones and Silks as they were able to bear neglecting other Commodities tho' rich and various and when they had every one as much as satisfied their Avarice they lay'd it down upon the shoar making it up into packs and dividing it not by reason or after the just value of the things but equalling them by weight reserving for the last to resolve what to do with the young Gentleman and the Lady Mean while there appears upon the Mountains a second Company two riding before them as their Captains these were no sooner perceived by the former but without preparing for the fight or daring to take with them any part of of the spoâ—l lest it might give occasion to the Enemy to pursue the fear that strook their hearts made them take their heels with the greatest agility that was possible for they were but Ten and those they saw coming were twice that number Thus the Lady was twice taken and yet not Prisoner Now these others though they had an extream longing to be at the pillage and had already devoured it in their hopes yet the Apprehension that troubled their Spirits not knowing the cause of these events retained them for a while for they imagined the first Thieves had made that horrible Slaughter and observing the Lady in all the dangers that threatned her to be no more afraid than if there had been no such thing careful only of the young man's wounds that seemed to pain her more than if they had been her own they remained mightily amazed as well at the generosity of her courage and rareness oâ— her Beauty as at the delicate shape and exact stature of the wounded young man who â—egan to resume his natural Colour After they had long considered their Captain stept forth and took her by the hand commanding her to rise and go with him but she that understood not his Language and yet doubted what he meant drew the young Gentleman along nor would he part with her and setting her Steeletto to her Breast threatned to kill her self if they might not go together The Captain understanding her more by action and signs than by her words and hoping if the young Gentleman recovered he would serve him in designs of higher Nature made his Page alight and he also dismounting caused the two Captives to be mounted on his Horses and himself setting forward on foot whilst his men trussed up the Pillage went with the Prisoners to help them if happily their weakness should not suâ—â—er them to help themselves nor did their Captivity want a Glory to see the Conqueror humbled to the Conquered and to be waited on by him that had them in his power So great is the Appearance of Nobility and Magick of a Beauty as to subdue the inhumane Nature of Thieves and to mollifie the hearts of the most Barbarous When they had now passed along the Sea Shoar about half a quarter of a Mile leaving the left hand-way they turned up-hill and climbing over doubled their paces to arrive by day-light at a Lake on the other side the Mountain This part of the Country is by the AEgyptians named the Bucolia or Pasture in which there is a Valley that receives the Innundations and disburdenings of Nilus growing into a Lake of an infinite deepness in the mâ—dst but near the sides it is but shallow and marish Here the AEgyptian Thieves live together with a kind of policy and observing a certain form of a Republick Some dwell in Cabbins or Huts builded upon little spots of Earth that rise above the water in divers places of the Lake others live in Boats that they use both for ferrying over and habitations for themselves and wives who are there brought a-Bed their Infants first suck the Mothers-milk and within a while are weaned and use to eat Fish got in the Lake and broyled in the Sun when a little one desires to go his Mother tyes a Cord to his Foot that reacheth no farther than the Boat committing him to this new guide Thus all that are born within the Lake account it for their Nurse and Country and hold it as a strong protection to their Robberies and to that end such kind of people â—lock hither from all parts for the water serves them for a wall and the great quantity of Reed and Cane that grows about the borders stands before them as their Bulwark and therein they have cut out so many ways intermazed one within another which their practice makes easie to them and cuts off all hope of incursion from the Enemy The Sun now declining to the West the Captain and the rest of his company arrived at this Lake and dismounting the two Prisoners carried the Prey aboard their little Boats presently all their Fellows that had stayed at home some from one side of the Fenns and some from the other came running to meet their Captain and received him as their King doing him all humble reverence but when they had viewed the richeâ— of the Prize and the divine form of the Maidâ— they conceived their companions had robbed some Temple and taken away the Priestess or the living Image of some Goddess so with a thousanâ— glorious Praises elevating their Captains Valouâ— to the Heavens they all conducted him to his place of residence which was a little iâ—Iâ—land cut off from theirs and reserved only for him and some few appointed to be always near his Person Bâ—ing landed here he commanded the multitude should retire home and not fail to attend him the next morning Himself with some few of his Friends made a short Supper then committed the two Prisoners to the custody of a young Grecian taken by the same Thieves not long before to the end he might serve for their interpreter and giving him order they should be lodged in a Tent joyned to his own charged him to dress the Gentlemans wounds and see that none should do injury to the Lady whilst he wearied with the labour of his Journey and the care of present business went to rest But when silence râ—igned in all the iâ—Iâ—land about the first watch of the Night the Maid being alone used her solitude and absence of her keeper as an occasion given her to ease her Spirits with complaining the calâ— of the Night exciting her sad thoughts and being able to see nothing that might divert her mind when she had deeply sighed to her self for she was separated by command of the Captain Theagenes lying with Knemon and she resting on a poor low Palate weeping as if her heart would break Oh Apollo she said how much greater is our punishment than our offence cannot all our past miseries extinguish thy revenge We are deprived of the sweet presence of our Friends and Parents we have been taken by Pyrates we have been tossed
made the gteatest number Thus was I exiled from my Country and my Fathers House But the wicked Damoeneta did not long escape unpunished by the Gods that hate Impieties how it was you shall know hereafter Now it is time you should rest for the night is far spent and you had need of a great deal of sleep Oh now you will add to our misery reply'd Theagenes if you leave this wicked Woman thus Hear then said Knemon since your will is so After my Judgment was pronounced I went down to the Port we call Pyreum and lighted on a Ship that was bound for the Island of Egina knowing I had some Friends by my Mothers side that lived there When I was landed and had found out those I enquired for I passed my time there a while with indifferent good content I had not stayed there past Twenty Days but walking as my custom was upon the Haven I perceived a Bark making in therefore staying a little to see from whence it was the Planks were scarce laid down but a Passenger came running to me and imbraced me it was Charias one of my old Acquaintance Oh Knemon said he I bring you joyful News you are revenged of your Enemy Damoeneta is dead You are welcom dear Friend Charias I reply'd but why do you pass over your good News so lightly as if it were some ill accident Relate the manner I beseech you for I fear she dyed by some unusual way and escaped the Death and Shâ—me she deserved Justice said Charias hath not altogether forsaken us as Hesiod thought but though sometimes it conniveth at the wickedness of men and seems as if it slept upon their Sins and â—or a time deferring to punish them yet at length it overtakes them as it hath done the wicked Damoeneta The Particulars whereof came to my knowledge out of the Familiarity thâ—t had past betwixt my Self and Thesbe who concealed nothing from me for when the decree of unjust Banishment had past against me your Father Penitent for his act withdrew himself from the company of men and retired to his Grange House in the Country there seating his own Heart as the Poet says he resolved to spend the remainder of his Days but suddainly all the Furies of Hell began to torment your Mother-in-Law she loved you now in your absence more than ever and did nothing but complain incessantly deploring your Fortune but indeed lamenting for her own No word passed from her mouth but Knemon her Sweetest her Soul Knemon In fine her affliction grew to that excess all the Town took notice of it and the Neighbours and Noble Ladies her Friends that came to visit her wondered exceedingly to see a Mother-in-Law witness such a Motherly affection much commending her and endeavouring to comfort her the best they could but she told them her evil was greater than to be cured by perswasions that they knew not the cause of her sorrows nor what stings were in her Heart And ever as she came to her self she complained of Thesbe that she knew not how to serve her purpose How nimble she was said Damoeneta to enterprize and execute a malice she knew not how to make me enjoy the pleasure of my Love but she knew how to deprive me of my Joy in an instant e'er I could think e'er she would give me time to change my Mind By these and other words and actions she accidently shewed the displeasure she conceived against Thesbe and that she meant her no good But Thesbe finding her indignation and seeing she was lost in passion disposed by her ill Nature to lay some train for her and mad both with Love and Anger resolved to anticipate heâ— and by laying a Plot for her to preserve her self and coming to her Mistress said she What Destiny Enemy to your Contentment and my Fidelity makes you accuse your Servant I have always and even in this last Act obeyed your will if any thing succeeds not to your wish you must blame Fortune not me yet if you please to command me I shall testifie a great deal of affection and no little industry to find out a way to your content Alas she reply'd How is that possible since he that only can content me is so far distant and so much Sea and Land is interposed betwixt us the unexpected Lenity of his Judg was my death for had they covered him in a Monument of Stones they had with him buried and extinguished my Flame â—or when there is no more hope there is no more care or sence of pain Now methinks I still see him methinks I still hear him object against me my unjust deceits and upâ—raid me with them and I blush to think my self in his presence sometimes I think I may yet â—njoy him and resolve to go my â—elâ— and â—ind him in what part of the World soever he remains this sets me all on Fire this makes me Mad and justly Oh you Gods I sufâ—er For why did I plot against him and rather not use him kindly Why was I an Enemy and not rather a Supplâ—ant at his Feet had he not reason to give me one refusal I was a Stranger to him he was aâ—raid to stain his Fathers Bed it might be time acquaintance and my expressions to him might have won him But I crueller than a wild Beast not as if I had been a Suiter but a Mistress that had the absolute Empire of his Will thought strange he should not obey me and in my unhappy rigour persecuted him for despising Damoeneta that had not Beauty equal to his merit But my Thesbe what content was that you spake of Madam she reply'd the World believes that Knemon hath obeyed his Sentence and hath left the Town and Territory of Athens but I know that ever since that time I have been thoughtful to procure your quiet he lyeth concealed at a Friends House here in Town You have heard of Arsinoe the Flutenist and her Familiarity with him she after his disaster received him into her Honse promising to go along with him and till she can furnish her self with Necessaries for the Voyage she keeps him in secret at her House But Demoeneta could not now reâ—rain to interrupt her saying Oh blessed Arsinoe both in the former Felicity thou hast tasted and that occasion offers thee the present happiness to exile thy self with him But what doth this concern me Oh greatly Mistress reply'd Thesbe for I will fain to be desperately in Love with him and pray Arsinoe that is my old Acquaintance and my fellâ—w Musician to give me one nights lodging with him in her place this being obtained I will make over my right to you you shall personate Arsinoe and he shall take you for her for I will look he shall have a Cup more than ordinary in his Head and the Chamber shall be dark and then I hope when your Desires are obtained your Torments will cease for the end of Love is enjoying
Lakists striving to make good the Place but the others falling upon them unawares and oppressing them with Multitudes slew easily those they â—ound on Land and overwhelmed those within the Lake in their Boats and Cabbins whence the Air was filled with horrible Cries both of those that defended themselves upon the Water and those that fought by Land and the Lake was stain'd all over in the Blood of dying persons that fell at one time both by Fire and Water When Thyamis saw and heard this he remembred his Dream how he had seen the Goddess Isis and her Temple all on fire and full of Sacrifices and observing his Vision was thus far brought to pass he began to make another explication of the rest Having thou shalt not have her forasmuch as she shall be ravish'd from thee by the fury of this War and that he shoâ—ld kill â—er yet â—e should not hurt her that is he should destroy her with his Sword and not by Rape To conclude rating the Goddess as fraudulent and injurious charging her that she had abus'd and mockt him and not being able to endure with patience that any other should enjoy Chariclea he commanded his men to retire a little and to hold the Enemy in play a while only with skirmishing and some few Salliesâ— which as they were intrenched might resist the forces of greater multitudes whilst he would go and find Thermutis and offer Vows and Sacrifices to their presidiary Gods and so forbidding any man to follow him he departed as towards his Tent but took his way to the Cave Oh how hard it is to turn a Barbarian from that he hath once resolved in his Soul for aâ—soon as they fall to despair of their own safety it is their custom presently to kill their dearest Friends either believing they shall live together after death or desiring to take them out of their enemies power and to free them from all injuries for these Reasons Thyamis forgetting all his own Affairs and though he was at that present encompast with Enemy-Troops that had taken him as in Nets furiously transported with Love and Jealousie he entred the Cave where calling as loud as he could and speaking some Words in the AEgyptian Tongue he heard a Womâ—n answer him in Greek and the sound of her Voyce leading him to the place where she was he put his left hand about her Neck and with his right drawing his Sword ran her through the Body under the left Breast wherewith the poor Woman fell down dead breathing but one sigh that brake her Heart-strings Presently Thyamis went out letting fall the Stone upon the Entry of the Cave and for her Epitaph seeming to write upon it with his tears adding these Words Alas poor Maid these are the Nâ—ptial Gifts I present thee And so returning to his Men he found their Battel quite disordered and ready to fly frighted with the Enemies Approach and on the other side seeing Thermutis that brought him a Beast to imolate he chid him and told him he had already ofâ—ered the fairest Sacrifice of the world and so entred into his Bark with him onlâ— one more to row for the Boats they have here can carry no more being wrought out of the Body but of one thick Tâ—ee by their rude Shipwrights Theagenes and Knemon imbarked together in another and the rest in the like manner and when they had coasted the Island a great way they ceased rowing and disposed their Boats in front of their Battalion as attending the shock of their Enemies but assoon as they approached the Herdsmen of the Island were so far from the courage to sustain the first Assault upon the Water that they presently cast about and fled not daring to endure the very sound of the Alarum Theagenes and Knemon retired themselves softly after the rest but Fear did not make them turn their backs only Thyamis held it unworthy to give ground and not desiring to survive Chariclea he prest into the midst of his Enemies and as he was fighting amongst them one cried out This is Thyamis every man now look to his Charge so immediately wheeling in a Ring about him they inclosed him with their Boats but he stoutly holding out wounded some with his Javelin and killed others The Fight was worthy of admiration in all the multitude of his Foes no man opposed or drew a Sword against him but every one did his best to take him alive he resisted a great while but at last his Javelin was beaten out of his hand and then his Foes pressed in upon him being also at that instant deprived of the succour of his Page that had stood to him bravely but at that time had newly received as was thought a mortal Wound and casting himself into the Lake swimming with much difficulty had recovered Land no one taking the pains to follow him for having Thyamis in their power they esteemed it to be an absolute Victory Yet notwithstanding the loss of many of their Fellows they more rejoyced to have him alive that slew them than they sorrowed for their Friends and Kinsmens Deaths so insatiable are the covetous hearts of Thieves preferring Gain before their Lives and having no end in the holy Name of Friendship and Consanguinity but to get by them it was the case of these Thieves for they were the same that before out of their fear of Thyamis and his Men had â—led from the Heracliotick Arm of Nilus who stomacking to be deprived of other mens Goods as if they were their own had gathered together their Companions and called in the Neighbour Villages offering them equal shares and chusing them for their Captains to conduct the Expedition But the Cause of their taking Thyamis was this he had at Memphis a Brother named Petosiris who having by his plots dispossessed his Brother of the Dignity of Chief Priest against the Laws and Institutions of the Countrey for he was his younger Brother and hearing that he was the Captain of these Thieves he feared Thyamis would take time to chase him out of his usurped Honour and discover his perfidiousness also he desired to take away the ill opinion that many had conceived of him that he had killed his Brother because it appeared not where he was therefore sending Messengers to the Villages of the Thieves he proposed a great Sum of Money and so many Castles to any one that would take him alive so as these Thieves charmed with the hope of such a Profit even in the heat of Blood and War did not forget their Promise but after he was discovered took him alive though many died for it Being thus seized of Thyamis they rowed to Land putting him in Irons and appointing half of their Troops to guard him who vexing at his Fortune upbraided them of Cowardise for not daring to take him with their Swords bearing his imprisonment with more indignation and less patience than if it had been Death it self the rest of them returned
her fled away according to agreement with the Merchant Nausicles this displeased the People yet they did not judge him to be the Murtherer but an Accessory to the Plot against Damaeneta and consenting to my unjust Banishment therefore they expell'd him the City conâ—iscating all his goods these were the fruits he reaped of his Second Marriage and this was the reason made the wicked Thesbe sail from Athens who now before my Eyes receives the punishment she had deserv'd Thus much one Anticles told me in the Island of AEgina with him I put to Sea again bound for AEgypt that if happily I should light of Thesbe here in the City of Naucratia I might carry her back to Athens to discharge my Father of the crime whereof he was falsly indicted and withal to see her treacheries and malice duly punished by the Laws but now I am here detained a Prisoner as you are at another time you shall know the cause and manner of my taing the fortune I have since endured but how Thesbe came into this Cave and who hath slain her we need some God for an interpreter Yet if you please I will read the Letter that I took out of her Bosome which may perhaps give us further intelligence They intreated him to do so and opening it he read these words To her Master Knemon Thesbe his Enemy and Revenger FOr my first News know Damoeneta is Dead by my means for your sake The way I did it if you please to receive me I will relate unto your self it is now ten days that I have been in this Island taken by one of these Thieves that boasts himself to be the Captains Page and keeps me locked up not giving me the Liberty to walk or look abroad punishing me thus as he tells me for the love he bears me but as I conjecture it is for fear lest some body should take me from him yet for all this some Angel directing me as you passed by yesterday I saw and knew you and have now secretly sent you this Letter by an Old Woman my Keeper charging her to present it to the fair Grecian that is near the Captains Person I beseech you Sir free me from this Thief and receive your Handmaid and if it be your pleasure save my Life conâ—idering wherein I offended you Necessity constrain'd me but that I have revenged you of your Enemy was the free motion of my Soul notwithstanding that you be so incensed against me as that you are resolved not to pardon me use me as you please let me dye so I may dye yours For I esteem it much more noble at your hands to receive Death and funeral Rites according to the Custom of Greece than to endure a Life more terrible then Death and the love of a Barbarian more bitter then the hatred of an Athenian Thus Thesbe and the Letter spake Oh Thesbe Thesbe said Knemon thou hast received a just Iudgment and thy self the Messenger that tells it to us delivering us a Letter contains part of thy Misfortunes after thou art Dead by this we know the Fury that revenged thy wickedness upon thee whipt thee about the World and never held her hand till she had brought thee before me thy wronged Master though I lived in AEgypt and made me a Spectator of thy Tradegy But what new Stratagem hadst thou against me By these Letters that Fortune took out of thy hands I cannot but suspect thee yet and I much fear that Damoeneta 's Death is but a thing devised and put into their Mouths that told me it and that thou art come thus far by Sea to make me as Tragick a Spectacle now in AEgypt as before at Athens Why Knemon said Theagenes still so valiant will you not yet leave fearing Spirits and Shadows my error was but a Deceptio visus but I am no actor in this Scene She is dead I warrant never doubt it but who is Author of this favour to thee and has killed her to thy Hand I cannot imagine nor how or when she came down hither I am not able further to resolve you said Knemon but assuredly Thyamis is he that killed her That which makes me believe it is his sword we found dropt out of her Wound for I know it to be his by the Ivory Pommel cut in the figure of an Eagle which is his Crest Cannot you tell us said Theagenes when or how or for what cause he did this Murther How should I know replyed Knemon for this Cave hath not made me Prophetical like that of Apollo at Delphos or Triphonius his Den from whence men come out inspired with a divine fury Presently Theagenes and Chariclea fell a weeping and cryed with one voice Oh Apollo O Delphos this amazed Knemon not being able to conceive why the names oâ— Apollo and Delphos should so much trouble them Thus were they busied Now Thermutis the page of Thâ—amis that was hurt in the Battel when he had recovered Land by Swimming the night now growing Dark he found a Boat Shipwrackt by the Fen-side and entring it plyed his Oares towards his Captains Island to see Thesbe whom a few dayes before he had taken from the Merchant Nausicles as he was leading her in a narrow way that lyes along the Mountain side where Thermutis lay in Ambush to Rob Passengers and as Thyamis at the first noise and arrival of the Enemies had sent him to seek a Beast to Sacrifice to the Gods for Victory Thâ—rmutis desperately in love with this Woman desirous to keep her out of danger of the War and to preserve her for himself secretly conveyed her into the Cave and for fear and haste left her at the Mouth thereof where she remained not daring to stir both frighted with the Alarm and the present Dangers and not knowing the windings of the way that conducted to the Bottom and thus Thyamis finding her at his entry slew her believing that he killed Chariclea Thermutis therefore having escap'd the Battel fled to find her in the Island where arriving he ran with all haste towards the Tent of Thyamis which was now but ashes and with much difficulty finding the Cave by a Stone that covered the entry he lighted a few Reeds that were yet unconsumed and ran down calling Thesbe which name was all the Greek he had but when he saw her stretch'd Dead upon the Earth he was so astonisht as a while he had no Motion at length hearing certains Sounds and Murmurs out of the hollows of the Cave for Theagenes and Knemon were yet discoursing he suspected those to be the Murtherers of Thesbe this confused his thoughts not knowing what to resolve or do for the natural cruelty and barbarous humour of the Thief his rage exasperated by this accident frustrating him of the enjoying of his Love incited him to run to the bottom and fall upon them he esteemed the Authors of her Death but wanting Arms he was reclaimed to Moderation against his will
all the ground about Syene The Spies finding him there brought their Captives before him He was not only delighted with their Beauty but with the good Omen of having Prisoners in Chains set before him Behold said he the Gods at our first Arrival send us Slaves in Bonds These pâ—rsonâ— therefore being the first fruits of our War shall be kept in Custody till our return then to be oâ—fer'd to our Gods in our Triumphal Sacrificâ—s according to the Ancient Laws of our Country Having therefore rewarded the Spies he gave the Prisoners into the close custody of persons that could speak their Language giving them great Charge to treat them with Respect and Care to supply them with the best Provision and above all to preserve them from all Contamination because they were reserved for Victims Lastly That their Bonds of Iron should be taken off and Fetters of Gold put upon them For Gold amongst the AEthiopians is made use of for all things that Iron is amongst other Nations This was done as he commanded When therefore the former were taken off and the Golden Chains put on Theagenes smiling said What means this splendid Change Fortune flatters us in rendring us rich by our Captivity since we are only Captives of greater Price Chariclea also smiled and desired him to conceive better hopes of what the Gods fore-told Hydaspes now attacking the City and thinking to carry it at first onset found himself deceived the Besieged so manfully resisting his Forces and beating them off adding also Scoffs and Contumelies He was therefore enraged that they so much as offer'd to resist and did not surrender themselves on the first Attack He resolved to lose no time or make such a Siege whereby some might be taken and some escape but at once to overthrow the whole City by an inevitable Destruction He thus order'd the Work He made a Ditch about the Ground that lay next to the Walls yet at such distance that the Slings and Arrows from the Town could not reach it appointing ten Men to every ten Yards to be dug of a sufficient breadth and depth some therefore broke the Earth while others receiv'd the Mold which they piled up on that side of the Trench that was next his Camp which serv'd as a Counter-Fortress to the Town None from thence offer'd to molest the Work not daring to sally forth against such Numbers and their Slings not throwing so far as the distant space reach'd between the two Walls Having presently finish'd this affair by multitude of hands he began another Project When this Round Ditch was compleated he left part of it without casting up a Bank and from thence made another Trench that turned off to the River Nile which Trench he banked up on both sides when therefore he had joined the foresaid Banks to those of the River breaking down the Fence as it were by opening a Sluce he let the Stream into his Trâ—nch which by the descent from the River to that lower Channel made such a dreadful noise thâ—t it was heard at a vast distance When the Citizens heard and saw into what distress they were brought by this Inundation which presently over-ran the Plain between the Walls and the Enemy preventing thâ—ir Escape and that it was equally dangerous to tarry they sâ—t themselves to do all that was possible for persons in such exigence In the first place as the Wood-work of their Gates began to give way thâ—y stopt up the Chinks with Straw and Pitch setting props and weights against them they also ran up Buttresses to support their Wall One brought Earth another Stonâ—s a third Straw and whatever they could get together no Hands were unemploy'd Women Children and Old Age set themselves to the work for so general and pressing a Calamity excused none But to the more Youthâ—ul Orders were given to make a subterranean Passage to the Enemies Bulwark The Work was performed after this manner They first sunk a Pit five yards deep perpendicular then by the help of Torches they dug strait before them a passage to the Enemies Banks those that were behind still in order receiving the Earth from them that were before which was convey'd into the City-Garden and there laid on a heap This they did with design that when the Water should fall into this Cavern it should force it self a passage out another way But they were prevented for the Nile fell so plentifully into the Upper Channel that the space between the two Walls was now a standing Lake so that Syene an inland Town was now turn'd into an Island quite surrounded with Water The Wall sustain'd the weight thereof for one whole day but when it was swelled higher and also had sunk underneath the foundation the ground being soft and spungy it then in several places began to yield and threaten a Deluge on the City The next Evening a Part that was between two Towers fell down yet not so as to lye below the Flood but so as presently to threaten an Inundation Upon which a great Cry was set up amongst the Inhabitants that reach'd to the Enemies Camp and with hands lift up towards Heaven beseech'd the assistance of the Gods They besought Oroondates to send Messengers to beg Peace with Hydaspes He was forced to submit but being shut in with the Waters no Messengers could pass He therefore fasten'd Petitionary Letters to Stones which he threw from Slings but to no purpose for the distance prov'd too great to permiâ— their coming home he then try'd by way of Arâ—rows while the Archers and Slingers vyed with each other but still in vain In the last place they stretch'd forth their hands towards the Enemieâ— Bulwark in suppliant manner to signifie whaâ— they intended by their shootings and someâ—times put them behind their Backs to shew that they were willing to receive their Chairsâ— Hydaspes understood their Signals and was inâ—clin'd to Acceptance For the submission of aâ— Enemy commands Clemency from generouâ— Minds But he first thought fit to make tâ—yaâ— of what they meant in ordâ—r whereunto he seâ—lected ten Boats which fell down to his Bankâ— side from the breach of the Nile into thesâ— he put Archers and armed men with Comâ—mands as he thought fit and sent them oveâ— to the Persians They therefore told themâ— That if they had any Hope or Confidence lefâ— they should prepare for Fight It was a neâ— Spectacle on an inland Soil to see Boats rowâ—ing from Wall to Wall over cultivated Groundsâ— It was yet a greater wonder to see a Naval Arâ—my storming a Town and Land Souldiers conâ—tending with them They therefore that werâ— in the Town seeing Ships with Armed Menâ— approaching that part of their Wall which waâ— broken down were seiz'd with terrour aâ— people in great distress and extremity are alwayâ— suspicious They hurl'd Stones from the Wallsâ— and shot Arrows into the Boats that came for their preservation Thus Men that despair of Life yet reckon it as an