refuse not misery purchased by mine owne merite Hard I must needes saye although till now I neuer thought I should haue had cause to saye is the destinie of womankinde the tryall of whose vertue must stande vpon the louing of them that employe all theyr industrie not to be beloued If Zelmanes young yeares had not had so much grauitie hidden vnder a youthfull face as your graye heares haue bene but the visar of vnfitting youthfulnes your vicious minde had brought some fruites of repentance and Gynaecia might then haue bene with much more right so basely despised Basilius that was more ashamed to see himselfe so ouertaken then Vulcan was when with much cunning hee proued himselfe a Cuckolde beganne to make certayne extrauagant excuses but the matter in it selfe hardly brooking any purgacion with the suddainnes of the time which barred any good conioyned inuention made him sometimes alledge one thing to which by and by he would bring in a contrarye one time with flat denyall another time with mitigating the fault now braue then humble vse such a stammering defensiue that Gynaecia the violence of whose sore in deede ranne another waye was content thus to fasten vp the last stitch of her anger Well well my Lorde sayde she it shall well become you so to gouerne your selfe as you may be fit rather to direct me then to be iudged of me and rather to be a wise maister of me then an vnskilfull pleader before me Remember the wrong you haue done is not onely to me but to your children whome you had of mee to your countrey when they shall finde they are commaunded by him that can not commaund his owne vndecent appetites lastly to your selfe since with these paynes you do but build vp a house of shame to dwell in if from those moueable goods of nature wherewith in my fyrst youth my royall parents bestowed me vppon you bearing you children and encrease of yeares haue withdrawen me consider I pray you that as you are cause of the one so in the other time hath not left to worke his neuer-fayling effectes in you Truly truly Sir very vntimely are these fyres in you it is time for vs both to let reason enioye his due soueraigntie Let vs not plant anewe those weedes which by natures course are content to fade Basilius that would rather then his life the matter had bene ended the best rethorike he had was flat demanding pardon of her swearing it was the very force of Apollos destenye which had caryed him thus from his owne bias but that nowe like as farre trauellers were taught to loue their owne countrie he had such a lesson without booke of affection vnto her as he would repay the debt of this error with the interest of a great deale more true honour then euer before he had done her neyther am I to geue pardon to you my Lord sayd she nor you to beare honour to me I haue taken this boldnes for the vnfayned loue I owe vnto you to deliuer my sorrowe vnto you much more for the care I haue of your well doing then for any other selfe fancie For well I knowe that by your good estate my life is mayntayned neyther if I would can I separate my selfe from your fortune For my parte therefore I clayme nothing but that which may be safest for your selfe my life will honor and what soeuer else shall be but a shadow of that bodie How much Basilius owne shame had found him culpable and had alreadie euen in soule read his owne condemnacion so much did this vnexpected mildnes of Gynaecia captiue his harte vnto her which otherwise perchaunce would haue growne to a desperat carelesnes Therefore embracing her and confessing that her vertue shined in his vice he did euen with a true resolued minde vowe vnto her that as long as he vnworthie of her did liue she should be the furthest and onlie limit of his affection He thanked the destenies that had wrought her honour out of his shame and that had made his owne striuing to goe amisse to be the best meane euer after to hold him in the right pathe Thus reconciled to Basilius great contentacion who began something to marke himselfe in his owne doings his hard hap guided his eye to the cuppe of golde wherein Gynaecia had put the lickourment for Zelmane and hauing fayled of that guest was now carrying it home agayne But he whome perchaunce sorrowe perchaunce some long disaccustomed paynes had made extremely thirstie tooke it out of her handes although she directly tolde him both of whome she had it what the effect of it was and the little proofe she had seene thereof hiding nothing from him but that she ment to minister it to another pacient But the Duke whose belly had no eares and much drouthe kept from the desiring a taster finding it not vnpleasant to his pallate dranke it almost off leauing very little to couer the cuppes bottome But within a while that from his stomacke the drincke had deliuered to his principall vaynes his noysome vapours first with a painefull stretching and forced yawning then with a darke yellownes dyeng his skinne and a colde deadlie sweate principally about his temples his bodie by naturall course longing to deliuer his heauie burden to his earthly damme wanting force in his knees which vtterly abandoned him with heauie fall gaue some proofe whether the operation of that vnknowne potion tended For with pang-like grones and gastly turning of his eyes immediatlie all his limmes stiffened and his eyes fixed he hauing had time to declare his case only in these wordes O Gynaecia I dye Haue care of what or how much further he would haue spoken no man can tell For Gynaecia hauing well perceyued the changing of his cullour and those other euill signes yet had not looked for such a sodaine ouerthrowe but rather had bethought her selfe what was best for him when she sodainely sawe the matter come to that periode comming to him and neyther with any cryes getting a worde of him nor with any other possible meanes able to bring any liuing action from him the height of all ouglie sorrowes did so horrible appeare before her amazed minde that at the first it did not only distract all power of speech from her but almost wit to consider remayning as it were quicke buried in a graue of miseries Her paynefull memorie had streight filled her with the true shapes of all the fore-past mischiefes her reason began to crye out against the filthye rebellion of sinfull sense and to teare it selfe with anguish for hauing made so weake resistance her conscience a terrible witnes of the inwarde wickednes still nourishing this debatefull fyre her complaynte nowe not hauing an ende to be directed vnto something to disburden sorrowe but a necessary downefall of inwarde wretchednes She sawe the rigour of the lawes was like to lay a shamefull death vpon her which being for that action vndeserued made it the more
of euill hap then flowers are marred with the timely raynes of Aprill For how can I want comforte that haue the true and liuing comforte of my vnblemished vertue And how can I want honour as long as Musidorus in whom indeed honour is doth honour me Nothing bred from my self can discomfort me fooles opinions I wil not recken as dishonour Musidorus looking vp to the starres O mind of minds said he the liuing power of all things which dost with al these eies behold our euer varying actiōs accept into thy fauorable eares this praier of mine Yf I may any longer hold out this dwelling on the earth which is called a life graunt me abilitie to deserue at this Ladies handes the grace shee hath shewed vnto me graunt me wisdome to know her wisdome and goodnes so to encrease my loue of her goodnes that all mine owne chosen desires be to my selfe but second to her determinations What soeuer I be let it be to her seruice let me herein be satisfied that for such infinite fauours of vertue I haue some way wrought her satisfaction But if my last time aprocheth and that I am no longer to be amongst mortall creatures make yet my death serue her to some purpose that hereafter shee may not haue cause to repent her selfe that she bestowed so excellent a minde vpon Musidorus Pamela coulde not choose but accord the conceite of their fortune to these passionate prayers in so much that her constant eyes yeelded some teares which wiping from her faire face with Musidorus hande speaking softly vnto him as if she had feared more any body should be witnes of her weakenes then of any thing els shee had said you see said she my Prince and onely Lord what you worke in me by your much greuing for me I praye you thinke I haue no ioye but in you and if you fill that with sorrow what do you leaue for mee What is prepared for vs we know not but that with sorrow we cannot preuent it wee knowe Now let vs turne from these things and thinke you how you will haue me behaue my selfe towardes you in this matter Musidorus finding the authoritie of her speach confirmed with direct necessitie the first care came to his minde was of his deare friend and cosin Pyrocles with whome long before hee had concluded what names they shoulde beare if vpon any occasion they were forced to geue them selues out for great men and yet not make them selues fully knowen Now fearing least if the Princes should name him for Musidorus the fame of their two being together would discouer Pyrocles holding her hand betwixt his handes a good while together I did not thinke most excellent Princesse saide hee to haue made any further request vnto you for hauing bene alredie to you so vnfortunate a suiter I knowe not what modestie can beare any further demaūd But the estate of on young man whom next to you far aboue my selfe I loue more then all the world one worthy of all well being for the notable constitution of the mind and most vnworthy to receaue hurt by me whom he doth in all faith and constancie loue the pittie of him onely goes beyond all resolution to the contrarie Then did hee to the Princesse great admiration tell her the whole story as farre as he knew of it and that when they made the greuous disiūction of their long company they had concluded Musidorus should entitle himself Paladius Prince of Iberia and Pyrocles should be Daiphantus of Lycia Now said Musidorus he keeping a womans habit is to vse no other name then Zelmane but I that finde it best of the on side for your honour you went away with a Prince and not with a sheepheard of the other side accompting my death lesse euil then the betraying of that sweete frende of mine will take this meane betwixt both and vsing the name of Paladius if the respect of a Prince will stop your fathers furie that will serue aswell as Musidorus vntil Pyrocles fortune being som way established I may freely geue good proofe that the noble contrie of Thessalia is mine and if that will not mitigate your fathers opinion to me wards nature I hope working in your excellencies wil make him deale well by you for my parte the image of death is nothing fearefull vnto me and this good I shall haue reaped by it that I shall leaue my most esteemed friend in no danger to be disclosed by me And besides since I must confesse I am not without a remorse of his case my vertuous mother shal not know her sonnes violent death hid vnder the fame will goe of Paladius But as long as her yeares now of good number be counted among the liuing shee may ioye her selfe with some possibilitie of my returne Pamela promising him vpon no occasion euer to name him fell into extremytie of weping as if her eyes had beene content to spend all their seing moistnes now that there was speech of the losse of that which they held as their chiefest light So that Musidorus was forced to repaire her good counsailes with sweete consolations which continued betwixt them vntill it was about midnight that sleep hauing stolne into their heauie sences and now absolutely commaunding in their vitall powers lefte them delicately wound on in anothers armes quietly to waite for the comming of the morning Which as soone as shee appeared to play her parte laden as you haue heard with so many well occasioned lamentations Their lobbish garde who all night had kept themselues awake with prating how valiant deedes they had done when they ranne away and how faire a death their felowe had died who at his last gaspe sued to bee a hangman awaked them and set them vpon their horses to whom the very shining force of excellent vertue though in a very harrish subiect had wrought a kinde of reuerence in them Musidorus as he rid among them of whom they had no other holde but of Pamela thinking it want of a well squared iudgement to leaue any meane vnassayed of sauing their liues to this purpose spake to his vnseemly gardians vsing a plaine kind of phrase to make his speach the more credible My maisters said he there is no man that is wise but hath in what soeuer hee doth some purpose whereto hee directes his doinges which so long he followes till he see that either that purpose is not worth the paines or that another doinge caries with it a better purpose That you are wise in what you take in hand I haue to my cost learned that makes me desire you to tell me what is your ende in carying the Princesse and me backe to her father Pardon saide one rewarde cried another well saide he take both although I know you are so wise to remember that hardly they both will goe togeather being of so contrary a making for the ground of pardon is an euill neither any man pardons but remembers an
hart by thee my promise sent Vnto my selfe let after-liuers know No fancy mine nor others wrong suspect Make me ô vertuous Shame thy lawes neglect O Chastitie the chiefe of heauenly lightes Which makst vs most immortall shape to weare Holde thou my hart establish thou my sprights To onely thee my constant course I beare Till spotlesse soule vnto thy bosome flye Such life to leade such death I vow to dye But now that her memorie serued as an accuser of her change and that her own hand-writing was there to beare testimony against her fall she went in among those few trees so closed in the toppes together as they might seeme a little chappell and there might she by the help of the moone-light perceiue the goodly stone which serued as an altar in that wooddie deuotion But neither the light was enough to reade the words and the inke was alreadie foreworne and in many places blotted which as she perceaued Alas said she faire Marble which neuer receiuedst spot but by my writing well do these blots become a blotted writer But pardon her which did not dissemble then although she haue chaunged since Enioy enioy the glorie of thy nature which can so constantly beare the markes of my inconstancie And herewith hiding her eyes with her soft hand there came into her head certaine verses which if she had had present commoditie she would haue adioyned as a retractation to the other They were to this effect MY words in hope to blaze my stedfast minde This marble chose as of like temper knowne But loâ— my words defaste my fancies blinde Blots to the stone shames to my selfe I finde And witnesse am how ill agree in one A womans hand with constant marble stone My words full weake the marble â—ull of might My words in store the marble all alone My words blacke inke the marble kindly white My words vnseene the marble still in sight May witnesse beare how ill agree in one A womans hand with constant marble stone But seeing she could not see meanes to ioyne as then this recantation to the former vowe laying all her faire length vnder one of the trees for a while she did nothing but turne vp and downe as if she had hoped to turne away the fancie that mastred her and hid her face as if she could haue hidden her selfe from her owne fancies At length with a whispring note to her selfe O me vnfortunate wretch said she what poysonous heates be these which thus torment me How hath the sight of this strange guest inuaded my soule Alas what entrance found this desire or what strength had it thus to conquer me Then a cloud passing betweene her sight and the moone O Diana said she I would either the cloud that now hides the light of my vertue would as easily passe away as you will quickly ouercome this let or els that you were for euer thus darkned to serue for an excuse of my outragious folly Then looking to the starres which had perfitly as then beautified the cleere skie My parents said she haue told me that in these faire heauenly bodies there are great hidden deities which haue their working in the ebbing and flowing of our estates If it be so then O you Stars iudge rightly of me and if I haue with wicked intent made my selfe a pray to fancie or if by any idle lustes I framed my hart fit for such an impression then let this plague dayly encrease in me till my name be made odious to womankind But if extreame and vnresistable violence haue oppressed me who will euer do any of you sacrifice ô you Starres if you do not succour me No no you will not help me No no you can not help me Sinne must be the mother and shame the daughter of my affection And yet are these but childish obiections simple Philoclea it is the impossibilitie that dooth torment me for vnlawfull desires are punished after the effect of enioying but vnpossible desires are punished in the desire it selfe O then ô tenne times vnhappie that I am since where in all other hope kindleth loue in me despaire should be the bellowes of my affection and of all despaires the most miserable which is drawen from impossibilitie The most couetous man longs not to get riches out of a ground which neuer can beare any thing Why because it is impossible The most ambitious wight vexeth not his wits to clime into heauen Why because it is impossible Alas then ô Loue why doost thou in thy beautifull sampler set such a worke for my Desire to take out which is as much impossible And yet alas why doo I thus condemne my Fortune before I heare what she can say for her selfe What doo I sillie wench knowe what Loue hath prepared for mee Doo I not see my mother as well at lest as furiouslie as my selfe loue Zelmane And should I be wiser then my mother Either she sees a possibilitie in that which I thinke impossible or els impossible loues neede not misbecome me And doo I not see Zelmane who doth not thinke a thought which is not first wayed by wisdome and vertue doth not she vouchsafe to loue me with like ardour I see it her eyes depose it to be true what then and if she can loue poore me shall I thinke scorne to loue such a woman as Zelmane Away then all vaine examinations of why and how Thou louest me excellent Zelmane and I loue thee and with that embrasing the very ground whereon she lay she said to her selfe for euen to her selfe she was ashamed to speake it out in words O my Zelmane gouerne and direct me for I am wholy giuen ouer vnto thee In this depth of muzes and diuers sorts of discourses would she rauingly haue remained but that Dametas and Miso who were round about to seeke her vnderstanding she was to come to their lodge that night came hard by her Dametas saying That he would not deale in other bodies matters but for his part he did not like that maides should once stirre out of their fathers houses but if it were to milke a cow or saue a chicken from a kites foot or some such other matter of importance And Miso swearing that if it were her daughter Mopsa she would giue her a lesson for walking so late that should make her keepe within dores for one fortnight But their iangling made Philoclea rise and pretending as though she had done it but to sport with them went with them after she had willed Miso to waite vpon her mother to the lodge where being now accustomed by her parents discipline as well as her sister to serue her selfe she went alone vp to Pamelas chamber where meaning to delight her eies and ioy her thoughts with the sweet conuersation of her beloued sister she found her though it were in the time that the wings of night doth blow sleep most willingly into mortall creatures sitting in a chaire lying backward with her head almost
gouernement as to lay before your eyes the picture of his proceedings But in such sorte hee flourished in the sweete comforte of dooing much good when by an accasion of leauing his Countrie he was forced to bring foorth his vertue of magnanimitie as before hee had done of iustice He had onely one sister a Ladie lest I should too easilie fall to partiall prayses of her of whom it may be iustly saide that she was no vnfit branch to the noble stock whereof she was come Her he had giuen in mariage to Dorilaus Prince of Thessalia not so much to make a frendship as to confirm the frendship betweene their posteritie which betweene them by the likenes of vertue had beene long before made for certainly Dorilaus could neede no amplifiers mouth for the highest point of praise Who hath not heard said Pamela of the valiant wise and iust Dorilaus whose vnripe death doth yet so many yeares since draw teares from vertuous eyes And indeede my father is wont to speake of nothing with greater admiration then of the notable friâ—ndship a rare thing in Princes more rare betweene Princes that so holily was obserued to the last of those two excellent men But said she go on I pray you Dorilaus said he hauing married his sister had his marriage in short time blest for so are folke woont to say how vnhappie soeuer the children after grow with a sonne whom they named Musidorus of whom I must needes first speake before I come to Pyrocles because as he was borne first so vpon his occasion grew as I may say accidentally the others birth For scarcely was Musidorus made partaker of this oft-blinding light when there were found numbers of Southsayers who affirmed strange and incredible thinges should be performed by that childe whether the heauens at that time listed to play with ignorant mankinde or that flatterie be so presumptuous as euen at times to borrow the face of Diuinitie But certainly so did the boldnesse of their affirmation accompanie the greatnesse of what they did affirm euen descending to particularities what kingdoms he should ouercome that the king of Phrygia who ouer-superstitiously thought himselfe touched in the matter sought by force to destroy the infant to preuent his after-expectations because a skilfull man hauing compared his natiuity with the child so told him Foolish man either vainly fearing what was not to be feared or not considering that if it were a worke of the superiour powers the heauens at length are neuer children But so he did and by the aid of the Kings of Lydia and Crete ioining together their armies inuaded Thessalia and brought Dorilaus to some behind-hand of fortune when his faithfull friend and brother Euarchus came so mightily to his succour that with some enterchanging changes of fortune they begat of a iust war the best child peace In which time Euarchus made a crosse mariage also with Dorilaus his sister and shortly left her with child of the famous Pyrocles driuen to returne to the defence of his owne countrie which in his absence helped with some of the ill contented nobilitie the mighty King of Thrace and his brother King of Pannonia had inuaded The successe of those warres was too notable to be vnknowne to your eares to which it seemes all worthy fame hath glory to come vnto But there was Dorilaus valiantly requiting his friends helpe in a great battaile depriued of life his obsequies being no more solemnised by the teares of his partakers then the bloud of his enimies with so pearcing a sorrow to the constant hart of Euarchus that the newes of his sons birth could lighten his countenance with no shew of comfort although all the comfort that might be in a child truth it selfe in him forthwith deliuered For what fortune onely southsayers foretold of Musidorus that all men might see prognosticated in Pyrocles both Heauens and Earth giuing tokens of the comming forth of an Heroicall vertue The senate house of the planets was at no time so set for the decreeing of perfection in a man as at that time all folkes skilfull therein did acknowledge onely loue was threatned and promised to him and so to his cousin as both the tempest and hauen of their best yeares But as death may haue preuented Pyrocles so vnworthinesse must be the death of Musidorus But the mother of Pyrocles shortly after her childe-birth dying was cause that Euarchus recommended the care of his only sonne to his sister doing it the rather because the warre continued in cruell heat betwixt him and those euill neighbours of his In which meane time those young Princes the only comforters of that vertuous widow grewe on so that Pyrocles taught admiration to the hardest conceats Musidorus perchaunce because among his subiects exceedingly beloued and by the good order of Euarchus well perfourmed by his sister they were so brought vp that all the sparkes of vertue which nature had kindled in them were so blowne to giue forth their vttermost heate that iustly it may be affirmed they enflamed the affections of all that knew them For almost before they could perfectly speake they began to receaue conceits not vnworthy of the best speakers excellent deuises being vsed to make euen their sports profitable images of battailes and fortifications being then deliuered to their memory which after their stronger iudgements might dispense the delight of tales being conuerted to the knowledge of all the stories of worthy Princes both to moue them to do nobly and teach them how to do nobly the beautie of vertue still being set before their eyes and that taught them with far more diligent care then Grammaticall rules their bodies exercised in all abilities both of doing and suffring and their mindes acquainted by degrees with daungers and in sum all bent to the making vp of princely mindes no seruile feare vsed towards them nor any other violent restraint but still as to Princes so that a habite of commaunding was naturalized in them and therefore the farther from Tyrannie Nature hauing done so much for them in nothing as that it made them Lords of truth whereon all the other goods were builded Among which nothing I so much delight to recount as the memorable friendship that grew betwixt the two Princes such as made them more like then the likenesse of all other vertues and made them more neere one to the other then the neerenes of their bloud could aspire vnto which I think grew the faster and the faster was tied betweene them by reason that Musidorus being elder by three or foure yeares it was neither so great a difference in age as did take away the delight in societie and yet by the difference there was taken away the occasion of childish contentions till they had both past ouer the humour of such contentions For Pyrocles bare reuerence full of loue to Musidorus and Musidorus had a delight full of loue in Pyrocles Musidorus what he had learned either for body or minde
onely in age and affection followed his suite with all meanes of vnhonest seruants large promises and each thing els that might help to counteruaile his owne vnlouelines And she whose husband about that time died forgetting the absent Plangus or at lest not hoping of him to obtaine so aspiring a purpose lefte no art vnused which might keepe the line from breaking whereat the fishe was alredy taken not drawing him violently but letting him play himselfe vpon the hooke which he had so greedily swalowed For accompanying her mourning garments with a dolefull countenaunce yet neither forgetting handsomnes in her mourning garments nor sweetenes in her dolefull countenance her wordes were euer seasoned with sighes and any fauour she shewed bathed in teares that affection might see cause of pity and pity might perswade cause of affection And being growen skilful in his humors she was no lesse skilfull in applying his humors neuer suffering his feare to fall to a despaire nor his hope to hasten to an assurance shee was content he should thinke that she loued him and a certaine stolne looke should sometimes as though it were against her will bewray it But if thereupon hee grewe bolde hee straight was encouÌ„tered with a maske of vertue And that which seemeth most impossible vnto me for as neere as I can I repeate it as Plangus tolde it she could not only sigh when she would as all can doo weep wheÌ„ she would as they â—ay some can doo but being most impudent in her heart she could when she would teach her chekes blushing make shamefastnes the cloake of shamelesnes In sum to leaue out many particularities which he recited she did not only vse so the spurre that his Desire ran on but so the bit that it ran on euen in such a careere as she would haue it that within a while the king seing with no other eys but such as she gaue him thinking on other thoughts but such as she taught him hauing at the first liberal measure of fauors theÌ„ shortned of theÌ„ wheÌ„ most his Desire was inflam'd he saw no other way but mariage to satisfie his longing and her minde as he thought louing but chastly louing So that by the time Plangus returned from being notably victorious of the Rebels he found his father not onely maried but alredy a father of a sonne and a daâ—ghter by this woman Which though Plangus as he had euery way iust cause was grieued at yet did his griefe neuer bring foorth ether contemning of her or repining at his father But she who besides she was growen a mother and a stepmother did read in his eies her owne fault and made his conscience her guiltines thought still that his presence caried her condemnation so much the more as that she vnchastly attempting his wonted fancieâ— found for the reuerence of his fathers bed a bitter refusallâ— which breeding rather spite then shame in her or if it were a shame a shame not of the fault but of the repulse she did not onely as hating him thirst for a reuenge but as fearing harm form him endeuoured to doo harme vnto him Therefore did she trie the vttermost of her wicked wit how to ouerthrow him in the foundation of his strength which was in the fauour of his father which because she saw strong both in nature and desert it required the more cunning how to vndermine it And therefore shunning the ordinary trade of hireling sycophants shee made her praises of him to be accusations and her aduancing him to be his ruine For first with words neerer admiration then liking she would extoll his excellencies the goodlines of his shape the power of his witte the valiantnes of his courage the fortunatenes of his successes so as the father might finde in her a singular loue towards him nay shee shunned not to kindle some fewe sparkes of ielousie in him Thus hauing gotten an opinion in his father that shee was farre from meaning mischiefe to the sonne then fell shee to praise him with no lesse vehemencie of affection but with much more cunning of malice For then she sets foorth the liberty of his mind the high flying of his thoughts the fitnesse in him to beare rule the singular loue the Subiects bare him that it was doubtfull whether his wit were greater in winning their fauours or his courage in imploying their fauours that he was not borne to liue a subiect-life each action of his bearing in it Maiestie such a Kingly entertainement such a Kingly magnificence such a Kingly harte for enterprises especially remembring those vertues which in successor are no more honoured by the subiects then suspected of the Princes Then would shee by putting-off obiections bring in obiectioÌ„s to her husbands head already infected with suspitioÌ„ Nay would she say I dare take it vpon my death that he is no such sonne as many of like might haue bene who loued greatnes so well as to build their greatnes vpon their fathers ruine Indeed Ambition like Loue can abide no lingring and euer vrgeth on his owne successes hating no thing but what may stop them But the Gods forbid we should euer once dreame of any such thing in him who perhaps might be content that you and the world should know what he can do but the more power he hath to hurte the more admirable is his praise that he will not hurt Then euer remembring to strengthen the suspition of his estate with priuate ielousie of her loue doing him excessiue honour wheÌ„ he was in presence repeating his pretie speaches and graces in his absence besides causing him to be imployed in all such dangerous matters as ether he should perish in them or if hee preuailed they should increase his glorie which she made a weapon to wound him vntill she found that suspition began already to speake for it selfe and that her husbands eares were growne hungry of rumours and his eies prying into euery accident Then tooke she help to her of a seruant neere about her husband whoÌ„ she knew to be of a hasty ambition and such a one who wanting true sufficiencie to raise him would make a ladder of any mischiefe Him shee vseth to deale more plainely in alleaging causes of iealousie making him knowe the fittest times when her husband already was stirred that way And so they two with diuers wayes nourished one humour like Musitians that singing diuers parts make one musicke He sometime with fearefull countenaunce would desire the King to looke to himselfe for that all the court and Cittie were full of whisperinges and expectation of some soddaine change vpon what ground himselfe knew not Another time hee would counsell the King to make much of his sonne and holde his fauour for that it was too late now to keepe him vnder Now seeming to feare himselfe because he said Plangus loued none of them that were great about his father Lastly breaking with him directly making a sorrowful countenance and an
seene her I am the willinger to speake of to you who I know know her better being your neer neighbor because you may see by her example in her self wise and of others beloued that neither folly is the cause of vehement loue nor reproch the effect For neuer I think was there any woman that with more vnremoueable determination gaue her selfe to the coūcell of loue after she had once set before her minde the worthines of your cosin Amphialus and yet is nether her wisedome doubted of nor honor blemished For O God what doth better become wisedome then to discerne what is worthy the louing what more agreable to goodnes thē to loue it so discerned and what to greatnes of hart then to be constant in it once loued But at that time that loue of hers was not so publikely known as the death of Philoxenus and search of Amphialus hath made it but then seemed to haue such leasure to send thither diuerse choise knights of her court because they might bring her at lest the knowledge perchaūce the honor of that triumph Wherin so they behaued thēselues as for three daies they carried the prize which being come from so far a place to disgrace her seruaunts Palladius who himselfe had neuer vsed armes perswaded the Queene Andromana to be content for the honour sake of her court to suffer vs two to haue our horse and armour that he with vs might vndertake the recouerie of their lost honour which she grāted taking our oath to goe no further then her sonne nor euer to abandon him Which she did not more for sauing him then keeping vs and yet not satisfied with our oth appointed a band of horsemen to haue eye that we should not go beyond appointed limits We were willing to gratifie the young Prince who we saw loued vs. And so the fourth day of that exercise we came into the field where I remember the manner was that the forenoone they should run at tilt one after the other the afternoone in a broad field in manner of a battell till either the strangers or that countrie Knights wan the field The first that ran was a braue Knight whose deuise was to come in all chayned with a Nymph leading him his Impresa was Against him came forth an Iberian whose manner of entring was with Bagpipes in steed of trumpets a shepheards boy before him for a Page and by him a dozen apparelled like shepherds for the fashion though rich in stuffe who caried his Launces which though strong to giue a launcely blow indeede yet so were they couloured with hooks neere the mourn that they pretilye represented shephooks His own furniture was drest ouer with wooll so enriched with Iewels artificially placed that one would haue thought it a mariage betweene the lowest and the highest His Impresa was a Sheepe marked with pitch with this woord Spotted to be knowne And because I may tell you out his conceipt though that were not done till the running for that time was ended before the Ladies departed from the windowes among whom there was one they say that was the Star whereby his course was onely directed The Shepherds attending vpon PHILISIDES went among them and sang an eclogue one of them answering another while the other shepherds pulling out recorders which possest the place of pipes accorded their musicke to the others voice The Eclogue had great praise I onely remember sixe verses while hauing questioned one with the other of their fellow-shepheards sodaine growing a man of armes and the cause of his so doing they thus said ME thought some staues he mist if so not much amisse For where he most would hit he euer yet did misse Once said he brake a crosse full well it so might be For neuer was there man more crossely crost then he But most cryed O well broke O foole full gaily blest Where failing is a shame and breaking is his best Thus I haue digrest because his maner liked me well But when he began to run against LElius it had neere growne though great loue had euer bene betwixt them to a quarell For Philisides breaking his staues with great commendation Lelius who was knowne to be second to none in the perfection of that art ranne euer ouer his head but so finely to the skilfull eyes that one might wel see he shewed more knowledge in missing then others did in hitting For with so gallant a grace his staffe came swimming close ouer the crest of the Helmet as if he would represent the kisse and not the stroke of Mars But Philisides was much moued with it while he thought Lelius would shew a contempt of his youth till Lelius who therefore would satisfie him because he was his friend made him know that to such bondage he was for so many courses tyed by her whose disgraces to him were graced by her excellencye and whose iniuries he could neuer otherwise returne then honors But so by Lelius willing-missing was the oddes of the Iberian side and continued so in the next by the excellent running of a Knight though fostred so by the Muses as many times the very rusticke people left both their delights and profites to harken to his songs yet could he so well performe all armed sports as if he had neuer had any other pen then a Launce in his hand He came in like a wilde man but such a wildenes as shewed his eye-sight had tamed him full of withered leaues which though they fell not still threatned falling His Impresa was a mill-horse still bound to goe in one circle with this word Data fata sequutus But after him the Corinthian knights absolutely preuailed especially a great noble man of Corinth whose deuise was to come without any deuise all in white like a new Knight as indeede he was but so new as his newnes shamed most of the others long exercise Then another from whose tent I remember a birde was made flie With such art to carry a written embassage among the Ladies that one might say If a liue bird how so taught if a dead bird how so made Then he who hidden man and horse in a great figure liuely representing the Phoenix the fire tooke so artificially as it consumed the bird and left him to rise as it were out of the ashes thereof Against whom was the fine frosen Knight frosen in despaire but his armor so naturallye representing Ice and all his furniture so liuely answering therto as yet did I neuer see any thing that pleased me better But the delight of those pleasing sightes haue carried me too farre into an vnnecessary discourse Let it then suffice most excellent Ladye that you know the Corinthians that morning in the exercise as they had done the daies before had the better Palladius neither suffring vs nor himself to take in hand the partie til the after noone when we were to fight in troupes not differing otherwise from earnest but that the sharpenesse of the
might see neither a carefull arte nor an arte of carelesnesse but euen left to a neglected chaunce which yet could no more vnperfect her perfections then a Die anie way cast could loose his squarenesse Cecropia stirred with no other pitie but for her sonne came in and haling kindnesse into her countenance What ayles this sweet Ladie said she will you marre so good eyes with weeping shall teares take away the beautie of that complexion which the women of Arcadia wish for and the men long after Fie of this peeuish sadnesse in sooth it is vntimely for your age Looke vpon your owne bodie and see whether it deserue to pine away with sorrow see whether you will haue these hands with that she tooke one of her hands and kissing it looked vppon it as if she were enamoured with it fade from their whitenesse which makes one desire to touch them and their softnesse which rebounds againe a desire to looke on them and become drie leane and yellow and make euerie bodie woonder at the chaunge and say that sure you had vsed some arte before which now you had left for if the beauties had beene naturall they would neuer so soone haue beene blemished Take a glasse and see whether these teares become your eies although I must confesse those eies are able to make teares comely Alas Madame answered Philoclea I know not whether my teares become mine eyes but I am sure mine eies thus beteared become my fortune Your fortune saide Cecropia if she could see to attire herselfe would put on her best raiments For I see and I see it with griefe and to tell you true vnkindnes you misconster euery thing that only for your sake is attempted You thinke you are offended and are indeed defended you esteeme your selfe a prisoner and are in truth a mistres you feare hate and shall finde loue And truely I had a thing to say to you but it is no matter since I finde you are so obstinatly melancholy as that you woo his felowship I will spare my paines and hold my peace And so staied indeede thinking Philoclea would haue had a female inquisitiuenesse of the matter But she who rather wished to vnknow what she knewe then to burden her hart with more hopeles knowledge only desired her to haue pity of her and if indeed she did meane her no hurt then to graunt her liberty for else the very griefe and feare would proue her vnappointed executioners For that said Cecropia beleue me vpon the faith of a kings daughter you shall be free so soone as your freedome may be free of mortall danger being brought hither for no other cause but to preuent such mischiefes as you know not of But if you thinke indeed to winne me to haue care of you euen as of mine owne daughter then lend your eares vnto me and let not your mind arme it selfe with a wilfulnesse to be flexible to nothing But if I speake reason let Reason haue his due reward persuasion Then sweet neece said she I pray you presuppose that now euen in the midst of your agonies which you paint vnto your selfe most horrible wishing with sighes and praying with vowes for a soone and safe deliuerie Imagin neece I say that some heauenly spirit should appeare vnto you and bid you follow him through the doore that goes into the garden assuring you that you should therby returne to your deare mother and what other delights soeuer your minde esteemes delights would you sweet neece would you refuse to folow him and say that if he led you not through the chiefe gate you would not enioy your ouer-desired liberty Would you not drink the wine you thirst for without it were in such a glasse as you especially fancied tell me deare neece but I will answer for you because I know your reason wit is such as must needs coÌ„clude that such nicenesse can no more be in you to disgrace such a mind then disgracefulnesse can haue any place in so faultles a beauty Your wisdom would assuredly determin how the mark were hit not whether the bow were of Ewe or no wherein you shot If this be so thus sure my deare neece it is then I pray you imagin that I am that same good Angel who grieuing in your griefe and in truth not able to suffer that bitter sighs should be sent foorth with so sweet a breath am come to lead you not only to your desired and imagined happines but to a true and essentiall happines not only to liberty but to libertie with commandement The way I will shew you which if it be not the gate builded hitherto in your priuate choise yet shall it be a doore to bring you through a garden of pleasures as sweet as this life can bring foorth nay rather which makes this life to be a life My son let it be no blemish to him that I name him my son who was your fathers own nephew for you know I am no small kings daughter my sonne I say farre passing â—he neernesse of his kinred with neernesse of good-will and striuing to match your matchlesse beautie with a matchlesse affection doth by me present vnto you the full enioying of your liberty so as with this gift you will accept a greater which is this castell with all the rest which you knowe he hath in honorable quantitie and will coÌ„firme his gift and your receipt of both with accepting him to be yours I might say much both for the person and the matter but who will crie out the Sun shines It is so manifest a profit vnto you as the meanest iudgement must straight apprehend it so farre is it from the sharpnesse of yours therof to be ignorant Therfore sweet neece let your gratefulnes be my intercession and your gentlenesse my eloquence and let me cary comfort to a hart which greatly needs it Philoclea looked vpon her and cast downe her eie againe Aunt said she I would I could be so much a mistres of my owne mind as to yeeld to my cousins vertuous request for so I construe of it But my hart is already set and staying a while on that word she brought foorth afterwards to leade a virgins life to my death for such a vow I haue in my selfe deuoutly made The heauens preuent such a mischiefe said Cecropia A vowe quoth you no no my deere neece Nature wheÌ„ you were first borne vowed you a woman and as she made you child of a mother so to do your best to be mother of a child she gaue you beautie to moue loue she gaue you wit to know loue she gaue you an excellent body to reward loue which kind of liberall rewarding is crowned with an vnspeakable felicitie For this as it bindeth the receiuer so it makes happy the bestower this doth not impouerish but enrich the giuer O the sweet name of a mother O the comfort of comforts to see your children grow vp in whom you are as it
if he did accept the combat Damaetas would neuer dare to appeare and that then the honour should be his but and then willed him to lie downe vpon the earth as flat as he could Clinias obeyed and Damaetas who neuer could thinke himselfe safe till Clinias were dead began to thinke with himselfe that if he strake at him with his sworde if he did not kill him at the first blowe that then Clinias might happe to arise and reuenge himselfe Therefore he thought best to kneele downe vpon him and with a great whittle he had hauing disarmed his heade to cut his throate which he had vsed so with Calues as he had no small dexteritie in it But while he sought for his Knife which vnder his armour he could not well finde out and that Clinias lay with so sheepish a quietnes as if he would haue beene glad to haue his throate cut for feare of more paine the Iudges came in and tooke Damaetas from off him telling him he did against the lawe of Armes hauing promised life if hee threwe away his sworde Damaetas was loath to consent till they sware they would not suffer him to fight any more when he was vp and then more forced then perswaded he let him rise crowing ouer him and warning him to take heede how he dealt any more with any that came of his fathers kinred But thus this combate of cowardes being finished Damaetas was with much mirth and melodie receiued into the campe as victorious neuer a Page there failing to waite vpon this Triumph But Clinias though he wanted hart to preuent shame yet he wanted not wit to feele shame not so much repining at it for the abhorring of shame as for the discommodities that to them that are shamed ensue For well he deemed it would be a great barre to his practize and a pulling on of iniuries when men needed not care how they vsed him Insomuch that Clinias finding himselfe the scorning-stocke of euery companie fell with repining to hate the cause thereof and hate in a cowards hart could set it selfe no other limites but death Which purpose was well egged on by representing vnto himselfe what daunger he lately was in which still kept no lesse ougly figure in his minde then when it was present and quickly euen in his dissembling countenance might be discerned a concealed grudge For though he forced in himselfe a farre more diligent officiousnesse toward Amphialus then euer before yet a leering eye vpon the one side at him a countenance still framed to smiling before him how little cause soeuer there was of smiling and grombling behind him at any of his commandements with an vncertaine manner of behauiour his words comming out though full of flatterie yet slowly and hoarcely pronounced might well haue blazed what armes his false hart bare But despised because of his cowardlinesse and not marked because despised he had the freer scope of practize Which he did the more desperately enter into because the dayly dangers Amphialus did submit himselfe into made Clinias assuredly looke for his ouerthrow and for his owne consequently if he did not redeme his former treason to Basilius with a more treasonable falshood toward Amphialus His chiefe care therefore was to finde out among all sorts of the Amphialians whom either like feare tediousnes of the siege or discontentment of some vnsatisfied ambition would make apt to dig in the same mine that he did some alredy of welthy weary folks vnconstāt youths who had not found such sudden successe as they had promised thēselues he had made stoupe to his lure But of none he made so good account as of Artesia sister to the late slain Ismenus the chiefe of the six maids who had trained out the Princesses to their banket of miserie so much did the sharpnes of her wit counteruaile as he thought any other defects of her sex for she had vndertaken that dangerous practise by the persuasion of Cecropia who assured her that the two princesses should be made away and then Amphialus wold marry her which she was the apter to beleue by some false persuasiō her glas had giuen her of her own incomparable excellēcies by the great fauor she knew he bare to her brother Ismenus which like a self-flattering womā she cōceiued was done for her sake But when she had atchieued her attempt and that she found the Princesses were so far frō their intended death as that the one of them was like to be her souereigne that neither her seruice had woon of Amphialus much more then ordinary fauor nor her ouer-large offring herselfe to a mind otherwise owed had obteined a loked-for acceptatiō disdain to be disdained spite of a frustrat hope perchance vnquenched lust-growne rage made her vnquiet thoughts find no other rest but malice which was increased by the death of her brother whom she iudged neither succoured against Philanax nor reuenged vpō Philanax But all these coles were wel blowne by the cōpany she especially kept with Zelmane all this time of her imprisonment For finding her presence vncheerfull to the mourning Philoclea and contemned of the hie harted Pamela she spent her time most with Zelmane Who though at the first hardly brooking the instrument of their miserie learning cunning in the schoole of aduersitie in time framed her self to yeeld her acceptable intertainment For Zelmane when she had by that vnexpected mischiefe her bodie imprisoned her valure ouermastred her wit beguiled her desires barred her loue eclipsed assured of euill fearing worse able to know Philocleas misfortune and not able to succour her she was a great while before the greatnes of her hart could descend to sorow but rather rose boyling vp in spight and disdain Reason hardly making Courage beleeue that it was distressed but as if the walles would be afraid of her so would her lookes shoote out threatning vpon them But the fetters of seruitude growing heauier with wearing made her feele her case and the little preuailing of repining and then griefe gat a seate in her softned mind making sweetenesse of passed comforts by due title claime teares of present discomforts and since her fortune made her able to helpe as litle as any bodie yet to be able to waile as much as any bodie solitarie Sorrow with a continuall circle in herselfe going out at her owne mouth to come in againe at her owne eares Then was the name of Philoclea graued in the glas windowes and by the foolish idolatrie of affection no sooner written then adored and no sooner adored then pittied all the wonted praises she was wont to giue vnto her being now but figures of rethorick to amplifie the iniuries of misfortune against which being alone she would often make inuectiue declamations methodized only by raging sorow But when Artesia did insinuat herselfe into her acquaintance she gaue the gouernment of her courage to wit was content to familiarize herselfe with her so much the rather
shall make Basilius willing or vnwilling to knowe his owne happe in graunting you Philoclea then I will cheerefullie goe about this my most desired enterprise and shall thinke the better halfe of it alreadie atchieued beeing begunne in the fortunate houre of my friendes contentment These wordes as they were not knitte together with such a constant course of flowing eloquence as Dorus was woont to vse so was his voice interrupted with sighes and his countenaunce with enterchanging coulour dismayed So much his owne hearte did finde him faultie to vnbende any way the continuall vse of theyr deare friendshippe But Zelmane who had all this while gladlie hearkened to the other tydings of her friends happye successe when this last determination of Dorus strake her attentiue eares she stayed a great while oppressed with a dead amazement Ther came streight before her mind made tender with woes the images of her own fortune Her tedious longings her causes to despaire the combersome follie of Basilius the enraged Iealousie of Gynecia her selfe a Prince without retinewe a man annoyed with the troubles of woman-kinde lothsomely loued and daungerouslie louing And now for the perfecting of all her friend to be taken away by himself to make the losse the greater by the vnkindnes But within a while she resolutely passed ouer all in warde obiections and preferring her friends proffitt to her owne desire with a quiet but hartie looke she thus aunsweared him If I bare thee this Loue vertuous Musidorus for mine owne sake and that our friendshipp grew because I for my parte might reioyce to enioye such a friend I shoulde nowe so thorowly feele mine owne losse that I should call the heauens and earth to witnesse howe cruelly yee robbe mee of my greatest comforte measuring the breach of friendshippe by myne owne passion But because indeede I loue thee for thy selfe and in my iudgement iudge of thy worthines to beloued I am content to builde my pleasure vppon thy comforte And then will I deeme my happe in friendshippe great when I shall see thee whome I loue happie Let me be onely sure thou louest me still the onely price of trew affection goe therefore on worthye Musidorus with the guide of vertue and seruice of fortune Let thy loue be loued thy desires prosperous thy escape safe and thy iornye easie Let euery thing yeeld his helpe to thy deserte for my part absence shall not take thee from mine eyes nor afflictions shall barre mee from gladding in thy good nor a possessed harte shall keepe thee from the place it haâ—h for euer allotted vnto thee Dorus would faine haue replied againe to haue made a liberall confession that Zelmane had of her side the aduantage of well performing friendshippe but partelie his owne griefe of parting from one he loued so dearely partly the kinde care in what state hee shoulde leaue Zelmane bredd such a conflicte in his minde that many times he wished he had either neuer attempted or neuer reuealed this secreat enterprise But Zelmane who had now looked to the vttermoste of it and established her minde vpon an assured determination my onely friend said shee since to so good towardnes your courteous destinies haue conducted you let not a ceremoniall consideration of our mutuall loue be a barre vnto it I ioye in your presence but I ioye more in your good that friendshipp brings foorth the fruites of enmitie which preferres his owne tendernes before his friendes domage For my parte my greatest griefe herein shal be I can bee no further seruiceable vnto you O Zelmane saide Dorus with his eyes euen couered with water I did not think so soone to haue displayed my determination vnto you but to haue made my way first in your louing iudgement But alas as your sweet disposition drew me so farre so doth it now strengthen me in it To you therefore be the due commendation giuen who can conquere me in Loue and Loue in wisedome As for mee then shall goodnes turne to euill and vngratefulnes bee the token of a true harte when Pyrocles shall not possesse a principall seate in my soule when the name of Pyrocles shall not be helde of me in deuout reuerence They would neuer haue come to the cruell instant of parting nor to the il-faring word of farewell had not Zelmane sene a farre off the olde Basilius who hauing perfourmed a sacrifice to Apollo for his daughters but principally for his mistresse happy returne had since bene euery where to seeke her And nowe being come within compasse of discerning her he beganne to frame the loueliest couÌ„tenance he could stroking vp his legges setting his bearde in due order and standing bolte vpright Alas said Zelmane behold an euill fore-token of your sorrowfull departure Yonder see I one of my furies which doth daylie vexe me farewell fare wel my Musidorus the Gods make fortune to waite on thy vertues and make mee wade through this lake of wretchednes Dorus burst out into a floud of teares wringing her fast by the hande No no said he I go blindfold whither the course of my ill happe caries me for now too late my harte giues me this our separating can neuer be prosperous But if I liue attend me here shortly with an army Thus both appalled with the grieuous renting of their long Combination hauing first resolued with theÌ„selues that whatsoeuer fell vnto them they should neuer vpon no occasion vtter their names for the coÌ„seruing the honour of their Royal parentage but keep the names of Daiphantus Palladius as before had ben agreed between theÌ„ they tooke diuerse waies Dorus to the lodg-ward wher his heauy eyes might be somthing refreshed Zelmane towards Basilius saying to her selfe with a skornefull smiling yet hath not my friendly fortune depriued me of a pleasant companion But he hauing with much searche come to her presence Doubt Desire bred a great quarrel in his mind For his former experience had taught him to doubt true feeling of Loue made doubts daungerous but the working of his desire had ere long wonne the fielde And therefore with the most submissiue maner his behauiour could yeeld O Goddesse said hee towardes whom I haue the greatest feeling of Religion be not displeased at some shew of deuotion I haue made to Apollo since he if he know any thing knowes that my harte beares farre more awful reuereÌ„ce to your self then to his or any other the like Deity You wil euer be deceaued in me answered Zelmane I wil make my selfe no competitor with Apollo neither can blasphemies to him be duties to me With that Basilius tooke out of his bosome certaine verses he had written and kneling downe presented them to her They contained this PHaebus farewell a sweeter Saint I serue The high conceits thy heau'nly wisedomes breed My thoughts forget my thoughts which neuer swerue From her in whome is sowne their freedomes seede And in whose eyes my dayly doome I reede Phaebus farewell a sweeter Saint I serue
it shoulde not onely be vniust and against the lawe of Nations not well to receyue a Prince whome good will had brought among them but in respecte of the greatnes of his might very daungerous to geue him any cause of due offence remembring withall the excellent tryalls of his equitie which made him more famous then his victoryes hee thought hee might bee the fittest instrumente to redresse the ruynes they were in since his goodnes put hym without suspicion and hys greatnesse beyonde enuye Yet weighing with himselfe howe harde many heads were to be brideled and that in this monstrous confusion such mischiefe mighte be attempted of which late repentance should after be but a simple remedie he iudged best first to knowe how the peoples mindes would sway to this determinacion Therefore desiring the Gentleman to returne to the King his maister and to beseech him though with his paynes to stay for an houre or two where he was till he had set things in better order to receiue him he himselfe went fyrst to the Noble men then to Kalander and the principall Mantineans who were most opposite vnto him desiring them that as the night had most blessedly stayed them from entring into ciuill bloud so they would be content in the night to assemble the people together to heare some newes which he was to deliuer vnto them There is nothing more desirous of nouelties then a man that feares his present fortune Therefore they whome mutuall diffidence made doubtfull of their vtter destruction were quickly perswaded to heare of any newe matter which might alter at least if not helpe the nature of their feare Namely the chiefest men who as they had most to lose so were most iealous of their owne case and were alreadye growne as wearye to be followers of Timantus ambition as before they were enuyers of Philanax worthinesse As for Kalander and Sympathus as in the one a vertuous friendship had made him seeke to aduaunce in the other a naturall commiseration had made him willing to protect the excellent though vnfortunate prisoners so were they not against this conuocation For hauing nothing but iust desires in them they did not mistrust the iustifyeng of them Only Timantus laboured to haue withdrawne them from this assemblye sayeng it was time to stop their eares from the ambitious charmes of Philanax Let them fyrst deliuer Gynaecia and her daughters which were fit persons to heare and then they might begin to speake That this was but Philanax comming to liâ—ke broyle vpon broyle because he might auoyd the answering of his trespasses which as he had long intended so had he prepared coullored speeches to disguise them But as his words expressed rather a violence of rancour then any iust ground of accusation so pierced they no further then to some partiall eares the multitude yeelding good attention to what Philanax would propose vnto them Who like a man whose best building was a well-framed conscience neyther with plausible words nor fawning countenance but euen with the graue behauiour of a wise father whome nothing but loue makes to chide thus sayd vnto them I haue said he a great matter to deliuer vnto you and thereout am I to make a greater demaund of you But truly such hath this late proceeding bene of yours that I knowe not what is not to be demaunded of you Me thinkes I may haue reason to require of you as men are woont among Pirates that the life of him that neuer hurt you may be safe Me thinkes I am not without apparence of cause as if you were Cyclopes or Cannibals to desire that our Princes body which hath thirtie yeares maintained vs in a flourishing peace be not torne in pieces or deuoured among you but may be suffred to yeeld it selfe which neuer was defiled with any of your blouds to the naturall rest of the earth Me thinkes not as to Arcadians renowmed for your faith to Prince and loue of Country but as to sworne enemyes of this sweete soyle I am to desire you that at least if you will haue straungers to your Princes yet you will not deliuer the seignory of this goodly Kingdome to your noble Kings murtherers Lastly I haue reason as if I had to speake to mad men to desire you to be good to your selues For before God what either barbarous violence or vnnaturall follie hath not this day had his seate in your mindes and left his footsteps in your actions But in troth I loue you too well to stand long displayeng your faults I would you your selues did forget them so you did not fall againe into them For my part I had much rather be an orator of your prayses But now if you will suffer attentiue iudgement and not foreiudging passion to be the waigher of my wordes I will deliuer vnto you what a blessed meane the Gods haue sent vnto you if you list to embrace it I thinke there is none among you so young either in yeares or vnderstanding but hath heard the true fame of that iust Prince Euarchus King of Macedon A Prince with whom our late maister did euer holde most perfit alliance He euen he is this day come hauing but twenty horse with him within two miles of this place hoping to haue found the vertuous Basilius aliue but now willing to do honor to his death Surely surely the heauenly powers haue in so full a time bestowed him on vs to vnite our diuisions For my part therefore I wish that since among our selues we can not agree in so manifold partialities we do put the ordering of all these things into his hands aswell touching the obsequies of the King the punishment of his death as the mariage and crowning of our Princesse He is both by experience and wisedome taught how to direct his greatnesse such as no man can disdaine to obey him his equitie such as no man neede to feare him Lastly as he hath all these qualities to helpe so hath he though he would no force to hurt If therfore you so thinke good since our lawes beare that our Princes murther be chastized before his murthered bodie be buried we may inuite him to sit to morowe in the iudgement seate which done you may after proceede to the buriall When Philanax first named Euarchus landing there was a muttring murmur among the people as though in that euil ordered weaknes of theirs he had come to conquer their country But when they vnderstood he had so small a retinue whispring one with another and looking who should begin to confirme Philanax proposition at length Sympathus was the first that allowed it then the rest of the Noblemen neither did Kalander striue hoping so excellent a Prince could not but deale graciously with two such young men whose authoritie ioyned to Philanax all the popular sort followed Timantus still blinded with his owne ambitious haste not remembring factions are no longer to be trusted then the factious may be perswaded it is for their
shal be well to knowe how the poore and princely prisoners passed this tedious night There was neuer tyrante exercised his rage with more grieuous torments vpon any he most hated then afflicted Gynecia did crusifie her owne soule after the guiltines of her harte was surcharged with the sodainenes of her husbāds death for although that effect came not frō her minde yet her mind being euil the effect euill she thought the iustice of God had for the beginning of her paines copled thē together This incessantly boyled in her brest but most of al whē Philanax hauing cloasely imprisoned her she was lefte more freely to suffer the fierbrands of her owne thoughts especially when it grewe darke and had nothing left by her but a little lampe whose small light to a perplexed mind might rather yeld feareful shadowes then any assured sight Then beganne the heapes of her miseries to waye downe the platforme of her iudgement then beganne despaire to laye his ougly clawes vpon her shee beganne then to feare the heauenly powers shee was woont to reuerence not like a childe but like an enemie neither kept she herselfe from blasphemous repyning against her creation O Gods would she crye out why did you make me to destruction If you loue goodnes why did you not geue me a good minde Or if I cannot haue it without your gifte why doe you plague mee Is it in me to resist the mightines of your power Then would she imagine she sawe strange sights and that she heard the cries of hellish ghostes then would she skritch out for succour but no man comming vnto her shee woulde faine haue killed her helfe but knewe not how At sometimes againe the very heauines of her imaginations would cloase vp her senses to a little sleepe but then did her dreames become her tormentors One time it would seeme vnto her Philanax was haling her by the heare of the head and hauing put out her eyes was redy to throw her into a burning fornace Another time she would thinke she sawe her husband making the complainte of his death to Pluto and the magistrates of that infernall region contending in great debate to what eternal punishment they should allot her But long her dreaming would not hold but that it woulde fall vpon Zelmane to whom shee would think she was crying for mercy and that she did passe away by her in silence without any shew of pittying her mischief Then waking out of a broken sleep and yet wishing she might euer haue slept new formes but of the same miseries would seaze her minde shee feared death and yet desired death shee had passed the vttermost of shame and yet shame was one of her cruellest assaulters she hated Pyrocles as the originall of her mortall ouerthrowe and yet the loue shee had conceaued to him had still a hie authoritie of her passions O Zelmane would she say not knowing how neere he himselfe was to as great a daunger now shalt thou glut thy eyes with the dishonoured death of thy enemie Enemie alas enemie since so thou haste wel shewed thou wilt haue me accompt thee couldest thou not aswel haue giuē me a determinate deniall as to disguise thy first diguising with a doble dissembling Perchaunce if I had bene vtterly hopelesse the vertue was once in me might haue called together his forces and not haue beene led captiue to this monstrous thraldome of punished wickednes Then would her owne knowing of good enflame a new the rage of despaire which becomming an vnresisted Lorde in her brest shee had no other comforte but in death which yet she had in horror when she thought of But the wearisome detesting of her selfe made her long for the dayes approach at which time shee determined to continue her former course in acknowledginge any thing which might hasten her ende Wherein although shee did not hope for the end of her torments feeling alreadye the beginning of hell agonies yet according to the nature of paine the presente being most intollerable shee desired to change that and put to aduenture the ensuing And thus rested the restlesse Gynecia no lesse sorrowfull though lesse ragefull were the mindes of the Princesse Pamela and the Lady Philoclea whose only aduantages were that they had not consented to so much euill and so were at greater peace with themselues and that they were not lefte alone but might mutually beare parte of each others woes For when Philanax not regarding Pamelas princely protestations had by force left her vnder garde with her sister and that the two sisters were matched aswell in the disgraces of fortune as they had beene in the best beauties of nature those thinges that till then bashfullnes and mistrust had made them holde reserued one from the other now feare the vnderminer of all determinations and necessitie the victorious rebell of all lawes forced them enterchaungeably to lay open There passions then so swelling in them as they woulde haue made Auditors of stones rather then haue swallowed vp in silence the choking aduentures were falne vnto them Truely the hardest hartes which haue at any time thought womans teares to be a matter of sleight compassion imagining that faire weather will quickly after followe would now haue beene mollyfied and bene compelled to confesse that the fayrer a diamond is the more pittie it is it shoulde receaue a bleamish Although no doubte their faces did rather beautifie sorrow then sorrow coulde darken that which euen in darkenes did shine But after they had so long as their other afflictions would suffer them with doleful ceremonies bemoned their fathers death they sate downe together apparrelled as their misaduentures had founde them Pamela in her iournying weedes nowe conuerted to another vse Philoclea onely in her night gowne which she thought should bee the rayment of her funeralls But when the excellent creatures had after much panting with their inwarde trauell gotten so much breathing power as to make a pittifull discourse one to the other what had befallne them and that by the plaine comparing the case they were in they thorowlye founde that their greiues were not more like in regarde of themselues then like in respecte of the subiecte the two Princes as Pamela had learned of Musidorus being so minded as they woulde euer make both their fortunes one it did more vnite and so strengthen their lamentation seing the one coulde not bee miserable but that it must necessarilie make the other miserable also That therfore was the first matter their sweet mouths deliuered the declaring the passionate beginning troblesome proceeding and daungerous ending their neuer ending loues had passed And when at any time they entred into the prayses of the young Princes to long it woulde haue exercised their tonges but that their memory foorthwith warned them the more prayse worthy they were the more at that time they were worthy of lamentation Then againe to crying and wringing of handes and then a newe as vnquiet greefe sought
stonie thy brest so tygreshe as the sweete and beautifull shewes of Philocleas vertue did not astonish thee O wofull Arcadia to whom the name of this mankinde curtisan shall euer be remembred as a procurer of thy greatest losse But too farre I finde my passion yet honest passion hath guided mee the case is euerie way too too much vnanswearable It resteth in you O excellent protector to pronounce iudgement which if their bee hope that such a yonge man may proue proffitable to the world who in the first exercise of his owne determination farre passed the arrantest strumpet in luxuriousnesse the conningest forger in falsehoode a player in disguising a Tygre in crueltie a Dragon in ingratefulnes let him be preserued like a iewell to doe greater mischeefe Yf his youth bee not more defiled with trecherie then the eldest mans age let I say his youth be some cause of compassion If hee haue not euery way sought the ouerthrowe of humaine societie if hee haue done any thing like a Prince let his naming himselfe a Prince breede a reuerence of his base wickednesse If hee haue not broken all lawes of hospitalitie and broken them in the most detestable degree that can be let his being a guest be a sacred protection of his more then sauage doings or if his whorish beawtye haue not bene as the hye waye of his wickednesse let the picture drawne vppon so poysonous a wood be reserued to shewe howe greatly coulours can please vs. But if it is as it is what should I saye more a very spirit of hellish naughtines if his acte be to be punished and his defiled person not to be pittied then restore vnto vs our Prince by duly punishing his murderers for then wee shall thinke him and his name to liue when wee shall see his killers to dye Restore to the excellent Philoclea her honour by taking out of the world her dishonour and thinke that at this daye in this matter are the eyes of the worlde vppon you whether any thing can sway your minde from a true administracion of iustice Alas though I haue much more to saye I can saye no more for my teares and sighes interrupt my speeche and force me to geue my selfe ouer to my priuate sorrowe Thus when Philanax had vttered the vttermost of his mallice he made sorrowe the cause of his conclusion But while Philanax was in the course of his speeche and did with such bitter reproches defame the princely Pyrocles it was well to be seene his heart was vnused to beare such iniuries and his thoughtes such as could arme themselues better against any thing then shame For sometimes blushing his bloud with diuers motions comming and going sometimes cloasing his eyes and laying his hande ouer them sometime geuing such a looke to Philanax as might shewe hee assured himselfe hee durst not so haue spoken if they had bene in indifferent place with some impaciencie he bare the length of his Oration which being ended with as much modest humblenes to the Iudge as despitefull skorne to the accuser with words to this purpose he defended his honour My accusors tale may well beare witnes with me most rightfull Iudge in how hard a case and inuironed with how many troubles I may esteeme my selfe For if hee who shewes his toong is not vnaquainted with rayling was in an agonye in the beginning of his speech with the multitude of matters he had to lay vnto me wherein notwithstanding the most euill could fall vnto him was that hee should not do so much euill as hee would howe combred do you thinke may I acknowledge my selfe who in things no lesse importing then my life must be mine owne aduocate without leasure to aunswere or foreknowledge what shoulde be obiected in things I say promoted with so cunning a confusion as hauing mingled truthes with falsehoodes surmises with certaintyes causes of no moment with matters cappitall scolding with complayning I can absolute neyther graunt nor denye neyther can I tell whether I come hether to be iudged or before iudgement to be punished being compelled to beare such vnworthye woordes farre more grieuous then any death vnto me But since the forme of this gouernment allowes such toong libertye vnto him I will picke aswell as I can out of his inuectiue those fewe poyntes whiche may seeme of some purpose in the touching of mee hoping that by your easye hearing of me you will shewe that though you hate euill yet you wishe men may proue themselues not euill so in that hee hath sayde you will not waye so much what hee hath sayde as what hee hath proued remembring that truth is simple and naked and that if hee had guided himselfe vnder that banner hee needed not out of the way haue sought so vilde and false disgracings of mee enough to make the vntruest accusation beleeued I will therefore vsing truth as my best eloquence repeate vnto you as much as I knowe in this matter and then by the only cleerenes of the discourse your wisedome I knowe will finde the difference betwixt cauilling supposition and directe declaration This Prince Palladius and I being enflamed with loue a passion farre more easely reprehended then refrayned to the two peerelesse daughters of Basilius and vnderstanding howe hee had secluded himselfe from the worlde that like Princes there was no accesse vnto him wee disguised our selues in such formes as might soonest bring vs to the reuealing of our affections The Prince Palladius had such euent of his doings that with Pamelas consent hee was to conuey her out of the thraldome she liued in to receaue the subiection of a greater people then her owne vntill her fathers consent might be obteyned My fortune was more hard for I bare no more loue to the chaste Philoclea then Basilius deceaued in my sexe shewed to me insomuch that by his importunacy I could haue no time to obtayne the like fauour of the pure Philoclea till this pollicye I founde taking vnder cullour of some deuotions my lodging to drawe Basilius thether with hope to enioye me which likewise I reuealed to the Queene that she might keepe my place and so make her husband see his error While I in the meane time being deliuered of them both and hauing lockt so the dores as I hoped if the immaculate Philoclea would condescend to goe with me there should be none to hinder our going I was made prisoner there I knowe not by what meanes when being repelled by her deuine vertue I would faynest haue escaped Heere haue you the thread to guide you in the Labyrinth this man of his toong had made so monstrous Heere see you the true discourse which hee mountbanke fashion doth make so wide a mouth ouer Heere may you conceaue the reason why the Queene had my garment because in her going to the caue in the Moone-shine night she might be taken for me which he vseth as the knot of all his wise assertions so that as this double minded
naturall rest but that still it forced our thoughts to worke vpon this place where wee last alas that the word last should so long last did graze our eyes vpon her euer florishing beautie did it not still crie within vs Ah you base minded wretches are your thoughts so deeply bemired in the trade of ordinary worldlings as for respect of gaine some paultry wool may yeeld you to let so much time passe without knowing perfectly her estate especially in so troublesome a season to leaue that shore vnsaluted from whence you may see to the Island where she dwelleth to leaue those steps vnkissed wherein Vrania printed the farewell of all beautie Well then Remembraunce commaunded we obeyed and here we find that as our remembrance came euer cloathed vnto vs in the forme of this place so this place giues newe heate to the feauer of our languishing remembrance Yonder my Claius Vrania lighted the verie horse me thought bewayled to be so disburdned and as for thee poore Claius when thou wentst to helpe her downe I saw reuerence and desire so deuide thee that thou didst at one instant both blushe and quake and in stead of bearing her warre readie to fal down thy selfe There she sate vouchsafing my cloake then most gorgeous vnder her at yonder rising of the ground shee turned her selfe looking backe toward her woonted abode and because of her parting bearing much sorrow in her eyes the lightsomnes wherof had yet so natural a cherefulnesse as it made euen sorrow seeme to smile at that turning shee spake to vs all opening the cherrie of her lips and Lord how greedily mine eares did feed vpon the sweete words she vttered And here she laide her hand ouer thine eyes when shee saw the teares springing in them as if she would conceale them from other and yet her selfe feele some of thy sorrow But woe is me yonder yonder did shee put her foote into the boate at that instant as it were diuiding her heauenly beautie betweene the Earth and the Sea But when she was imbarked did you not marke how the windes whistled and the seas daunst for ioy how the sailes did swell with pride and all because they had Vrania O Vrania blessed be thou Vrania the sweetest fairnesse and fairest sweetnesse with that word his voice brake so with sobbing that he could say no further and Claius thus answered Alas my Strephon said he what needes this skore to recken vp onely our losses What doubt is there but that the light of this place doth cal our thoughtes to appeare at the court of affection held by that racking steward Remembrance Aswell may sheepe forget to feare when they spie woolues as we can misse such fancies when we see any place made happie by her treading Who can choose that saw her but thinke where she stayed where she walkt where she turned where she spoke But what is all this truely no more but as this place serued vs to thinke of those thinges so those thinges serue as places to call to memorie more excellent matters No no let vs thinke with consideration and consider with acknowledging and acknowledge with admiration and admire with loue and loue with ioy in the midst of all woes let vs in such sorte thinke I say that our poore eyes were so inriched as to behold and our lowe hearts so exalted as to loue a maide who is such that as the greatest thing the world can shewe is her beautie so the least thing that may be praysed in her is her beautie Certainely as her eye-lids are more pleasant to behold then two white kiddes climing vp a faire tree and browsing on his tendrest braunches and yet are nothing compared to the day-shining starres contayned in them and as her breath is more sweete then a gentle South-west wind which coms creeping ouer flowrie fieldes and shaddowed waters in the extreeme heate of summer and yet is nothing compared to the hony flowing speach that breath doth carrie no more all that our eyes can see of her though when they haue seene her what else they shall euer see is but drie stuble after clouers grasse is to be matched with the flocke of vnspeakeable vertues laid vp delightfully in that best builded folde But in deede as we can better consider the sunnes beautie by marking how he guildes these waters and mountaines then by looking vpon his owne face too glorious for our weake eyes so it may be our conceits not able to beare her sun-stayning excellencie will better way it by her workes vpon some meaner subiect employed And alas who can better witnesse that then we whose experience is grounded vpon feeling hath not the onely loue of her made vs beeing silly ignorant shepheards raise vp our thoughts aboue the ordinary leuell of the worlde so as great clearkes doe not disdaine our conference hath not the desire to seeme worthie in her eyes made vs when others were sleeping to sit vewing the course of heauens when others were running at base to runne ouer learned writings when other marke their sheepe we two marke our selues hath not shee throwne reason vpon our desires and as it were giuen eyes vnto Cupid hath in any but in her loue-fellowship maintained frindship between riuals and beautie taught the beholders chastitie He was going on with his praises but Strephon bad him stay and looke and so they both perceaued a thinge which floted drawing nearer and nearer to the banke but rather by the fauourable working of the Sea then by any selfe industrie They doubted a while what it should bee till it was cast vp euen hard before them at which time they fully saw that it was a man Wherupon running for pitie sake vnto him they found his hands as it should appeare constanter frendes to his life then his memorie fast griping vpon the edge of a square small coffer which lay all vnder his breast els in him selfe no shew of life so as the boord seemed to be but a beere to carrie him a land to his Sepulchre So drew they vp a young man of so goodly shape and well pleasing fauour that one would thinke death had in him a louely countenance and that though he were naked nakednes was to him an apparrell That sight increased their compassion and their compassion called vp their care so that lifting his feete aboue his head making a great deale of salt water come out of his mouth they layd him vpon some of their garments and fell to rub and chafe him till they brought him to recouer both breath the seruant and warmth the companion of liuing At length opening his eyes he gaue a great groane a dolefull note but a pleasaunt dittie for by that they founde not onely life but strength of life in him They therefore continued on their charitable office vntill his spirits being well returned he without so much as thanking them for their paines gate vp and looking round about to the vttermost lymittes of his sight
fayre fielde to vse eloquence in if he did but onely repeate the lamentable truely affectionated speeches while he coniured her by remembrance of her affection true oathes of his owne affection not to make him so vnhappie as to thinke hee had not onely lost her face but her hart that her face when it was fayrest had beene but as a marshal to lodge the loue of her in his minde which now was so well placed as it needed no further help of any outward harbinger beseeching her euen with teares to knowe that his loue was not so superficial as to go no further then the skin which yet now to him was most faire since it was hers how could hee bee so vngratefull as to loue her the lesse for that which she had onely receiued for his sake that he neuer beheld it but therein he saw the louelines of her loue towarde him protesting vnto her that hee would neuer take ioy of his life if he might not enioy her for whom principally he was glad he had life But as I heard by one that ouerheard them shee wringing him by the hand made no other answere but this my Lord said she God knowes I loue you if I were Princesse of the whole world and had withal all the blessings that euer the world brought forth I should not make delay to lay my selfe and them vnder your feete or if I had continued but â—s I was though I must confesse far vnworthy of you yet would I with too great a ioy for my hart to think of haue accepted your vouchsafing me to be yours and with faith and obedience would haue supplied all other defects But first let me bee much more miserable then I am ere I match Argalus to such a Parthenia Liue happy deare Argalus I geue you ful libertie and I beseech you take it and I assure you I shall reioyce whatsoeuer become of me to see you so coupled as may be fitte both for your honor satisfaction With that she burst out in crying and weeping not able longer to conteine her selfe from blaming her fortune and wishing her owne death But Argalus with a most heauie heart still pursuing his desire she fixt of minde to auoid further intreatie and to flie all companie which euen of him grew vnpleasant vnto her one night she stole away but whether as yet is vnknowen or in deed what is become of her Argalus sought her long and in many places at length despairing to finde her and the more he despaired the more enraged weerie of his life but first determining to bee reuenged of Demagoras he went alone disguysed into the cheefe towne held by the Helots where comming into his presence garded about by many of his souldiers he could delay his fury no longer for a fitter time but setting vpon him in despight of a great many that helped him gaue him diuers mortall wounds and him selfe no question had been there presently murthered but that Demagoras himselfe desired he might bee kept aliue perchaunce with intention to feed his owne eyes with some cruell execution to bee layd vpon him but death came soner then he lookt for yet hauing had leisure to appoint his successor a yong man not long before deliuered out of the prison of the King of Lacedaemon where he should haue suffered death for hauing slaine the kings Nephew but him hee named who at that time was absent making roades vpon the Lacedaemonians but Being returned the rest of the Helots for the great liking they conceiued of that yongman especially because they had none among themselues to whom the others would yeeld were content to follow Demagoras apppointment And wel hath it succeded with theÌ„ he hauing since done things beyond the hope of the yongest heads of whom I speake the rather because he hath hetherto preâ—erued Argalus aliue vnder pretence to haue him publiquelie and with exquisite tormentes executed after the ende of these warres of which they hope for a soone and prosperous issue And he hath likewise hetherto kept my young Lord Clitophon aliue who to redeeme his friend went with certaine other noble-men of Laconia and forces gathered by them to besiege this young and new successor but hee issuing out to the wonder of all men defeated the Laconians slew many of the noble-men and tooke Clitophon prisoner whom with much a doo he keepeth aliue the Helots being villanously cruel but he tempereth them so sometimes by following their humor sometimes by striuing with it that hetherto hee hath saued both their liues but in different estates Argalus being kept in a close hard prison Clitophon at some libertie And now Sir though to say the truth we can promise our selues litle of their safeties while they are in the Helots handes I haue deliuered all I vnderstande touching the losse of my Lords sonne and the cause thereof which though it was not necessarie to Clitophons case to be so particularly told yet the strangenes of it made mee think it would not be vnplesant vnto you Palladius thanked him greatly for it being euen passionatly delighted with hearing so straunge an accident of a knight so famous ouer the world as Argalus with whome he had him selfe a long desire to meete so had fame poured a noble emulation in him towardes him But theÌ„ well bethinking himselfe he called for armour desiring them to prouide him of horse guide and armed all sauing the head he weÌ„t vp to KalaÌ„der whom he found lying vpoÌ„ the grouÌ„d hauing euersince banished both sleepe and foode as enemies to the mourning which passion perswaded him was reasonable But Palladius raysed him vp saying vnto him No more no more of this my Lord Kalander let vs labour to finde before wee lament the losse you knowe my selfe misse one who though he be not my sonne I would disdayne the fauour of life after him but while there is hope left let not the weaknes of sorrow make the strength of it languish take comfort and good successe wil follow And with those wordes comfort seemed to lighten in his eyes and that in his face and gesture was painted victorie Once Kallanders spirits were so reuiued withall that receiuing some sustenance and taking a little rest he armed himselfe those few of his seruantsâ— hee had left vnsent and so himselfe guided Palladius to the place vpon the frontiers where alredy there were assembled betwene three and four thousand men all wel disposed for Kalanders sake to abide any perill but like men disused with a long peace more determinate to doo then skilfull how to doo lusty bodies and braue armours with such courage as rather grew of despising their enimies whom they knew not then of any confidence for any thing which in them selues they knewe but neither cunning vse of their weapons nor arte shewed in their marching or in caÌ„ping Which Palladius soone perceiuing he desired to vnderstand as much as could bee deliuered vnto him the estate of
beyond the degree of a man and to looke with a certaine almost bâ—shfull kinde of modestie as if he feared the eyes of men who was vnmooued with sight of the most horrible countenaunces of death and as if nature had mistaken her woorke to haue a Marses heart in a Cupids bodie All that beheld him and all that might behold him did behold him made their eyes quicke messengers to their minds that there they had seene the vttermost that in mankind might be seene The like wonder Palladius had before stirred but that Daiphantus as younger and newer come had gotten now the aduantage in the moyst and â—icle impression of eye-sight But while all men sauing poore Argalus made the ioy of their eyes speake for their harts towardes Daiphantus Fortune that belike was bid to that banket and ment then to playe the good fellow brought a pleasant aduenture among them It was that as they had newly dined there came in to Kalander a messenger that brought him word a yong noble Lady neere kinswoman to the faire Helen Queene of Corinth was come thither and desired to be lodged in his house Kalander most glad of such an occasion-went out and all his other worthie guests with him sauing onely Argalus who remained in his chamber desirous that this company were once broken vp that he might goe in his solitarie quest after Parthenâ—a But when they met this Lady Kalander streight thought hee sawe his neece Parthenea and was about in such familiar sorte to haue spoken vnto her But shee in graue aud honorable manner giuing him to vnderstande that he was mistaken he halfe ashamed excused himselfe with the exceeding likenes was between them though in deede it seemed that this Lady was of the more pure and daintie complexion shee saide it might very well bee hauing beene many times taken one for another But assoon as she was brought into the house before she would rest her she desired to speak with Argalus publickly who she heard was in the house Argalus came hastilie and as hastilie thought as Kalander had done with sodaine chaunges of ioye into sorrow But she when she had staide their thoughts with telling them her name and qualitie in this sorte spake vnto him My Lord Argalus sayd she being of late left in the Court of Queene Helen of Corinth as chiefe in her absence she being vpon some occasion gone thence there came vnto me the Lady Parthenia so disfigured as I think Greece hath nothing so ougly to behold For my part it was many daies before with vehement oathes and some good proofes she could make me think that she was Parthenia Yet at last finding certainlye it was she and greatly pitying her misfortune so much the more as that all men had euer tolde me as now you doo of the great likenes between vs I tooke the best care I could of her and of her vnderstood the whole tragicall historieâ— of her vndeserued aduenture and therewithall of that most noble constancie in you my Lord Argalus which whosoeuer loues not shewes himself to be a hater of vertue and vnworthy to liue in the societie of mankind But no outwarde cherishing could salue the inwarde sore of her minde but a few dayes since she died before her death earnestly desiring and perswading me to thinke of no husbande but of you as of the onely man in the worlde worthie to be loued with-al she gaue me this Ring to deliuer you desiring you by the authoritie of loue commanding you that the affection you bare her you should turne to me assuring you that nothing can please her soule more then to see you and me matched together Nowe my L. though this office be not perchance sutable to my estate nor sex who should rather looke to be desired yet an extraordinarie desert requires an extraordinarie proceeding and therefore I am come with faithfull loue built vppon your worthines to offer my selfe and to beseech you to accept the offer if these noble gentlemen present will say it is great folly let theÌ„ withall say it is great loue And then she staid earnestly attending Argalus his answere who first making most hartie sighes do such obsequies as he could to Parthenia thus answered her Madame said he infinitly am I bound vnto you for this no more rare then noble courtesie but most bound for the goodnes I perceiue you shewed to the lady Parthenia with that the teares ranne downe his eyes but he followed on and as much as so vnfortunate a man fitte to be the spectacle of miserie can doo you seruice determine you haue made a purchase of a slaue while I liue neuer to faile you But this great matter you propose vnto me wherin I am not so blinde as not to se what happines it should be vnto me Excellent Ladie know that if my hart were mine to giue you before all other should haue it but Parthenias it is though dead there I began there I end all matter of affection I hope I shall not longe tarry after her with whose beautie if I had onely beene in loue I should be so with you who haue the same beautie but it was Parthenias selfe Lloued and loue which no likenes can make one no commandemeÌ„t dissolue no foulnes defile nor no death finish And shall I receiue said shee such disgrace as to be refused Noble Ladie saide he let not that harde word be vsed who know your exceeding worthinesse farre beyond my desert but it is onely happines I refufe since of the onely happines I could and can desire I am refused He had scarce spoken those words when shee ranne to him and imbracing him Why then Argalus said she take thy Parthenia and Parthenia it was in deede But because sorow forbad him too soon to beleeue she told him the trueth with all circumstances how being parted alone meaning to die in some solitarie place as she hapned to make her complaint the Queene Helen of Corinth who likewise felt her part of miseries being then walking also alone in that lonely place hearde her and neuer lefte till she had knowen the whole discourse Which the noble Queene greatly pitying she sent her to a Phisition of hers the most excellent man in the world in hope he could helpe her which in such sort as they saw he had perfourmed and shee taking with her of the Queenes seruants thought yet to make this triall whether he would quickly forget his true Parthenia or no. Her speach was confirmed by the Corinthian Gentlemen who before had kept her councell and Argalus easily perswaded to what more then ten thousand yeares of life he desired and Kalander would needes haue the mariage celebrated in his house principallie the longer to holde his deare guestes towardes whom he was now besides his owne habite of hospitallitie carried with loue and dutie therefore omitted no seruice that his wit could inuent and his power minister But no way he sawe he could so
beguiled the times hast and shortned the wayes length till they came to the side of the wood where the hounds were in couples staying their comming but with a whining Accent crauing libertie many of them in colour and markes so resembling that it showed they were of one kinde The huntsmen handsomely attired in their greene liueries as though they were children of Sommer with staues in their handes to beat the guiltlesse earth when the houndes were at a fault and with hornes about their neckes to sounde an alarum vpon a sillie fugitiue The houndes were straight vncoupled and erelong the Stagge thought it better to trust to the nimblenes of his feete then to the slender fortification of his lodging but euen his feete betrayed him for howsoeuer they went they themselues vttered themselues to the sent of their enimies who one taking it of an other and sometimes beleeuing the windes aduertisements sometimes the viewe of their faithfull councellors the huntsmen with open mouthes then denounced warre when the warre was alreadie begun Their crie beeing composed of so well sorted mouthes that any man would perceiue therein some kinde of proportion but the skilfull woodmen did finde a musicke Then delight and varietie of opinion drew the horsmen sundrie wayes yet cheering their houndes with voyce horne kept still as it were together The wood seemed to conspire with them against his own citizens dispersing their noise through all his quarters and euen the Nimph Echo left to bewayle the losse of Narcissus and became a hunter But the Stagge was in the end so hotly pursued that leauing his flight hee was driuen to make courage of dispaire and so turning his head made the hounds with change of speech to testifie that he was at a bay as if from hotte pursuite of their enemie they were sodainly come to a parley But Kalander by his skill of coasting the Countrey was among the first that came in to the besieged Deere whom when some of the younger sorte would haue killed with their swordes he woulde not suffer but with a Crossebowe sent a death to the poore beast who with teares shewed the vnkindnes he tooke of mans crueltie But by the time that the vvhole companie vvas assembled that the Sagge had bestovved himfelfe liberally among them that had killed him Daiphantus vvas mist for vvhom Palladius carefully enquiring no nevves could bee giuen him but by one that saide he thought hee was returned home for that hee markt him in the chiefe of the hunting take a by way which might lead to Kalanders house That answere for the time satisfying and they hauing perfourmed all dueties as well for the Stagges funerall as the hounds triumph they returned some talking of the fatnes of the Deeres bodie some of the fairenes of his head some of the hounds cunning some of their speed and some of their cry till comming home about the time that the candles begin to inherit the Suns office they found Daiphantus was not to bee found Whereat Palladius greatly maruailing and a day or tvvo passing vvhile neither search nor inquirie could help him to knovvledge at last he lighted vpō the letter vvhich Pyrocles had vvritten before he vvent a hunting and left in his studie among other of his vvritings The letter vvas directed to Palladius himselfe and conteyned these wordes My onely friend violence of loue leades me into such a course whereof your knowledge may much more vexe you then helpe me Therefore pardon my concealing it from you since if I wrong you it is in the respect I beare you Return into Thessalia I pray you as full of good fortune as I am of desire and if I liue I will in short time follow you if I die loue my memorie This was all and this Palladius read twise or thrise ouer Ah said hee Pyrocles what meanes this alteration what haue I deserued of thee to bee thus banished of thy counsels Heretofore I haue accused the sea condemned the Pyrats and hated my euil fortune that depriued me of thee But now thy self is the sea which drounes my comfort thy selfe is the Pirat that robbes thy selfe of me Thy owne wil becomes my euill fortune Then turned he his thoughts to all formes of ghesses that might light vpon the purpose and course of Pyrocles for hee was not so sure by his wordes that it was loue as hee was doubtfull where the loue was One time he thought some beautie in Laconia had layed hold of his eyes an other time hee feared that it might be Parthenias excellencie which had broken the bands of al former resolution But the more he thought the more he knew not what to thinke armies of obiections rising against any accepted opinion Then as carefull he was what to doo himselfe at length determined neuer to leaue seeking him till his search should bee either by meeting accomplished or by death ended Therfore for all the vnkindnesse bearing tender respect that his friends secrete determinatiō should be kept from any suspition in others he went to Kalander and told him that he had receaued a message from his friend by which he vnderstood he was gone backe againe into Laconia about some matters greatly importing the poore men whose protection he had vndertaken and that it was in any sort fit for him to follow him but in such priuate wise as not to bee knowne and that therefore he would as then bid him farewell arming himselfe in a blacke armour as either a badge or prognostication of his minde and taking onely with him good store of monie and a fewe choise iewels leauing the greatest number of them and most of his apparell with Kalander which he did partly to giue the more cause to Kalander to expect their returne and so to be the lesse curiously inquisitiue after them◠and partly to leaue those honorable thankes vnto him for his charge and kindenes which hee knewe hee woulde no other way receaue The good old man hauing neither reason to dissuade nor hope to persuade receaued the things with minde of a keeper not of an owner but before he went desired he might haue the happines fully to know what they were which he saide he had euer till then delaid fearing to be any way importune but now he could not be so much an enemy to his desires as any longer to imprison them in silence Palladius tolde him that the matter was not so secrete but that so worthie a friend deserued the knowledge and should haue it as soone as he might speake with his friend without whose consent because their promise bound him otherwise he could not reueale it but bad him hold for most assured that if they liued but a while he should finde that they which bare the names of Daiphantus and Palladius would giue him and his cause to thinke his noble courtesie well imploied Kalander would presse him no further but desiring that he might haue leaue to goe or at least to sende his
deale contrary to your selfe for if I be so weak then can you not with reason stir me vp as ye did by remembrance of my owne vertue or if indeed I be vertuous then must ye confesse that loue hath his working in a vertuous hart and so no dout hath it whatsoeuer I be for if we loue vertue in whom shall wee loue it but in a vertuous creature without your meaning bee I should loue this word vertue where I see it written in a booke Those troblesome effectes you say it breedes be not the faults of loue but of him that loues as an vnable vessell to beare such a licour like euill eyes not able to looke on the Sun or like a weake braine soonest ouerthrowen with the best wine Euen that heauenly loue you speake of is accompanied in some harts with hopes griefes longinges and dispaires And in that heauenly loue since there are two parts the one the loue itselfe th' other the excellencie of the thing loued I not able at the first leap to frame both in me do now like a diligent workman make ready the chiefe instrument and first part of that great worke which is loue it selfe which when I haue a while practised in this sorte then you shall see me turne it to greater matters And thus gentlie you may if it please you thinke of me Neither doubt ye because I weare a womans apparell I will be the more womannish since I assure you for all my apparrel there is nothing I desire more then fully to proue my selfe a man in this enterprise Much might be saide in my defence much more for loue and most of all for that diuine creature which hath ioyned me and loue together But these disputations are fitter for quiet schooles then my troubled braines which art bent rather in deeds to performe then in wordes to defende the noble desire that possesseth me O Lord saide Musidorus how sharp-witted you are to hurt your selfe No answered he but it is the hurt you speake of which makes me so sharp-witted Euen so saide Musidorus as euery base occupation makes one sharp in that practise and foolish in all the rest Nay rather answered Pyrocles as each excellent thing once well learned serues for a measure of all other knowledges And is that become saide Musidorus a measure for other things which neuer receiued measure in it selfe It is counted without measure answered Pyrocles because the workings of it are without measure but otherwise in nature it hath measure since it hath an end allotted vnto it The beginning being so excellent I would gladly know the ende Enioying answered Pyrocles with a deepe sigh O saide Musidorus now set ye foorth the basenes of it since if it ende in enioying it shewes all the rest was nothing Ye mistake me aunswered Pyrocles I spake of the ende to which it is directed which end ends not no sooner then the life Alas let your owne braine disenchaunt you saide Musidorus My hart is too farre possessed saide Pyrocles But the head giues you direction And the hart giues me life aunswered Pyrocles But Musidorus was so greeued to see his welbeloued friend obstinat as he thought to his owne destruction that it forced him with more then accustomed vehemency to speake these words Well well saide he you lift to abuse your selfe it was a very white and red vertue which you could pick out of a painterly glosse of a visage Confesse the truth and ye shall finde the vtmost was but beautie a thing which though it be in as great excellencye in your selfe as may be in any yet I am sure you make no further reckning of it then of an outward fading benefite Nature bestowed vpon you And yet such is your want of a true grounded vertue which must be like it selfe in all points that what you wisely account a trifle in your selfe you fondly become a slaue vnto in another For my part I now protest I haue left nothing vnsaid which my wit could make me know or my most entier friendship to you requires of me I doo now beseech you euen for the loue betwixt vs if this other loue haue left any in you tovvards me and for the remembrance of your olde careful father if you can remēber him that forget your selfe lastly for Pyrocles ovvn sake who is novv vpon the point of falling or rising to purge your selfe of this vile infection other vvise giue me leaue to leaue of this name of freindship as an idle title of a thing vvhich cannot be vvhere vertue is abolished The length of these speaches before had not so much cloied Pyrocles though he vvere very impatient of long deliberations as this last farevvell of him he loued as his ovvne life did vvound his soule for thinking him selfe afflicted he vvas the apter to conceiue vnkindnesse deepely insomuch that shaking his head and deliuering some shevve of teares he thus vttered his greifes Alas said he prince Musidorus hovv cruelly you deale with me if you seeke the victorie take it and if ye list the triumph haue you all the reason of the world and with me remaine all the imperfections yet such as I can no more lay from me then the Crow can be perswaded by the Swanne to cast of all his blacke fethers But truely you deale with me like a Phisition that seeing his patient in a pestilēt feuer should chide him in steed of ministring helpe and bid him be sick no more or rather like such a friēd that visiting his friend condemned to perpetuall prison and loaden with greeuous fetters should will him to shake of his fetters or he would leaue him I am sick and sick to the death I am prisoner neither is there any redresse but by her to whom I am slaue Now if you list leaue him that loues you in the hiest degree But remember euer to cary this with you that you abandon your friend in his greatest extremitie And herewith the deepe wound of his loue being rubbed a fresh with this new vnkindnes began as it were to bleed againe in such sort that he was vnable to beare it any longer but gushing out aboundance of teares and crossing his armes ouer his woefull hart he suncke downe◠to the ground which sodaine trance went so to the hart of Musidorus that falling downe by him and kissing the weping eyes of his friend he besought him not to make account of his speach which if it had beene ouer vehement yet was it to be borne withall because it came out of a loue much more vehement that he had not thought fancie could haue receiued so deep a wound but now finding in him the force of it hee woulde no further contrary it but imploy all his seruice to medicine it in such sorte as the nature of it required But euen this kindnes made Pyrocles the more melte in the former vnkindenes which his manlike teares well shewed with a silent look vpon Musidorus as who should say
And is it possible that Musidorus should threaten to leaue me And this strooke Musidorus minde and senses so dumbe too that for greefe being notable to say any thing they rested with their eyes placed one vpon another in such sort as might well paint out the true passion of vnkindenes to be neuer aright but betwixt them that most dearely loue And thus remained they a time till at length Musidorus embrasing him said and will you thus shake of your friend It is you that shake me of sayde Pyrocles being for my vnperfectnes vnworthie of your friendshippe But this said Musidorus shewes you more vnperfect to be cruell to him that submits himselfe vnto you but since you are vnperfect said he smiling it is reason you be gouerned by vs wise and perfect man And that authoritie will I begin to take vpon me with three absolute cōmandemēts The first that you increase not your euill with further griefes the second that you loue her with all the powers of your mind and the last commandement shal be ye command me to do what seruice I can towardes the attaining of your desires Pyrocles hart was not so oppressed with the two mighty passions of loue and vnkindnes but that it yeelded to some mirth at his commaundement of Musidorus that he should loue so that some thing cleering his face from his former shewes of griefe Well said he deare cousin I see by the well choosing of your commandementes that you are farre fitter to be a Prince then a Counseller therfore I am resolued to imploy all my endeuour to obey you with this condition that the commandementes ye commaund me to lay vpon you shall onely bee that you continue to loue me and looke vpon my imperfections with more affection then iudgement Loue you said hee alas how can my hart be seperated from the true imbrasing of it without it burst by being too full of it But said he let vs leaue of these flowers of newe begun frendship and now I pray you againe tel me but tell it me fully omitting no circumstance the storie of your affections both beginning and proceeding assuring your selfe that there is nothing so great which I will feare to doo for you nor nothing so small which I will disdaine to doo for you Let me therefore receiue a cleere vnderstanding which many times we misse while those things we account small as a speech or a looke are omitted like as a whole sentence may faile of his congruitie by wanting one particle Therefore betweene frends all must be layd open nothing being superfluous nor tedious You shal be obeyed said Pyrocles and here are we in as fitte a place for it as may be for this arbor no body offers to come into but my selfe I vsing it as my melancholy retiring place and therefore that respect is born vnto it yet if by chance any should come say that you are a seruant sent from the Queene of the Amazons to seeke mee and then let mee alone for the rest So sate they downe and Pyrocles thus said Cousin said he then began the fatall ouerthrow of all my libertie when walking among the pictures in Kalāders house you your selfe deliuerd vnto me what you had vnderstood of Philoclea who much resembling though I must say much surpassing the Ladie Zelmane whom so well I loued there were mine eyes infected and at your mouth did I drinke my poison Yet alas so sweete was it vnto me that I could not be contented till Kalander had made it more and more strong with his declaration Which the more I questioned the more pittie I conceaued of her vnworthie fortune and when with pittie once my harte was made tender according to the aptnesse of the humour it receaued quickly a cruell impression of that wonderfull passion which to be definde is impossible because no wordes reach to the strange nature of it they onely know it which inwardly feele it it is called loue Yet did I not poore wretch at first know my disease thinking it onely such a woonted kinde of desire to see rare sights and my pitie to be no other but the fruits of a gentle nature But euen this arguing with my selfe came of further thoughts and the more I argued the more my thoughts encreased Desirous I was to see the place where she remained as though the Architecture of the lodges would haue beene much for my learning but more desirous to see her selfe to be iudge for sooth of the painters cunning For thus at the first did I flatter my self as though my wound had bene no deeper but when within short time I came to the degree of vncertaine wishes and that those wishes grew to vnquiet longinges when I could fix my thoughts vpon nothing but that within little varying they should end with Philoclea when each thing I saw seemed to figure out some parte of my passions when euen Parthenias faire face became a lecture to me of Philocleas imagined beautie when I heard no word spoken but that me thought it caried the sounde of Philocleas name then indeed then I did yeeld to the burthen finding my selfe prisoner before I had leasure to arme my selfe and that I might well like the spaniell gnaw vpon the chaine that ties him but I should sooner marre my teeth then procure liberty Yet I take to witnesse the eternall spring of vertue that I had neuer read heard nor seene any thing I had neuer any tast of Philosophy nor inward feeling in my selfe which for a while I did not call to my succour But alas what resistance was there when ere long my very reason was you will say corrupted I must confesse conquered and that me thought euen reason did assure me that all eyes did degenerate from their creation which did not honour such beautie Nothing in trueth coulde holde any plea with it but the reuerent friendship I beare vnto you For as it went against my harte to breake any way from you so did I feare more then any assault to breake it to you finding as it is indeed that to a hart fully resolute counsaile is tedious but reprehension is lothsome and that there is nothing more terrible to a guilty hart then the eie of a respected friend This made me determine with my selfe thinking it a lesse fault in frendship to do a thing without your knowledge then against your will to take this secret course Which conceit was most builded vp in me the last day of my parting and speaking with you whē vpō your speach with me my but naming loue whē els perchaūce I would haue gone further I saw your voice and countenance so chaunge as it assured me my reuealing it should but purchase your griefe with my cumber therfore deere Musidorus euen ran away from thy wel knowne chiding for hauing writtē a letter which I know not whether you found or no and taken my chiefe iewels with mee while you were in the middest of your
one of them is the other smaller Lodge but of like fashion where the gratious Pamela liueth so that the Lodge seemeth not vnlike a faire Comete whose taile stretcheth it selfe to a starre of lesse greatnes So Gynecia her selfe bringing me to my Lodging anone after I was inuited and brought downe to sup with them in the gardein a place not fairer in naturall ornaments then artificiall inuentions where in a banquetting house among certaine pleasant trees whose heads seemed curled with the wrappings about of Vine-branches The table was set neere to an excellent water-worke for by the casting of the water in most cunning maner it makes with the shining of the Sunne vpon it a perfect rainbow not more pleasant to the eye then to the mind so sensibly to see the proofe of the heauenly Iris. There were birds also made so finely that they did not onely deceiue the sight with their figure but the hearing with their songs which the watrie instruments did make their gorge deliuer The table at which we sate was round which being fast to the floore whereon we sate and that deuided from the rest of the buildings with turning a vice which Basilius at first did to make me sport the table and we about the table did all turne round by meanes of water which ranne vnder and carried it about as a Mille. But alas what pleasure did it to mee to make diuers times the full circle round about since Philoclea being also set was carried still in equall distance from mee and that onely my eyes did ouertake her which when the table was stayed and wee began to feede dranke much more eagerlie of her beautie then my mouth did of any other licour And so was my common sense deceiued being chiefly bent to her that as I dranke the wine and withall stale a looke on her me seemed I tasted her deliciousnesse But alas the one thirste was much more inflamed then the other quenched Sometimes my eyes would lay themselues open to receiue all the dartes she did throwe sometimes cloze vp with admiration as if with a contrary fancie they would preserue the riches of that fight they had gotten or cast my liddes as curtaines ouer the image of beautie her preâ—ence had painted in them True it is that my Reason now growen a seruant to passion did yet often tell his master that he should more moderatly vse his delight But he that of a rebell was become a Prince disdayned almost to allow him the place of a Counseller so that my senses delights being too strong for any other resolution I did euen loose the raines vnto them hoping that going for a woman my lookes would passe either vnmarked or vnsuspected Now thus I had as me thought well playd my first acte assuring my selfe that vnder that disguisment I should find opportunitie to reueale my selfe to the owner of my harte But who would thinke it possible though I feele it true that in almost eight weekes space I haue liued here hauing no more companie but her parents and I being familiar as being a woman and watchfull as being a louer yet could neuer finde opportunitie to haue one minutes leasure of priuate conference the cause whereof is as strange as the effects are to me miserable And alas this it is At the first sight that Basilius had of me I thinke Cupid hauing headed his arrows with my misfortune he was striken taking me to be such as I professe with great affection towards me which since is growen to such a doting loue that till I was faine to get this place sometimes to retire vnto freely I was euen choaked with his tediousnes You neuer saw fourscore yeares daunce vp and downe more liuely in a young Louer now as fine in his apparell as if he would make me in loue with a cloake and verse for verse with the sharpest-witted Louer in Arcadia Doo you not thinke that this is a sallet of woormwood while mine eyes feede vpon the Ambrosia of Philocleas beauty But this is not all no this is not the worst for he good man were easy enough to be dealt with but as I thinke Loue and mischeefe hauing made a wager which should haue most power in me haue set Gynecia also on such a fire towardes me as will neuer I feare be quenched but with my destruction For she being a woman of excellent witte and of strong working thoughts whether she suspected me by my ouer-vehement showers of affection to Philoclea which loue forced me vnwisely to vtter while hope of my maske foolishly incouraged me or that she hath takeÌ„ some other marke of me that I am not a woman or what deuill it is hath reuealed it vnto her I know not but so it is that all her countenances words and gestures are euen miserable portraitures of a desperate affection Whereby a man may learne that these auoydings of companie doo but make the passions more violent when they meete with fitte subiects Truely it were a notable dumb shew of Cupids kingdome to see my eyes languishing with ouer-vehement longing direct themselues to Philoclea and Basilius as busie about me as a Bee and indeed as cumbersome making such vehement suits to me who neither could if I would nor would if I could helpe him while the terrible witte of Gynecia carried with the beere of violent loue runnes thorow vs all And so ielious is she of my loue to her daughter that I could neuer yet beginne to opeÌ„ my mouth to the vneuitable Philoclea but that her vnwished presence gaue my tale a conclusion before it had a beginning And surely if I be not deceiued I see such shewes of liking and if I bee acquainted with passions of almost a passionate liking in the heauenly Philoclea towardes me that I may hope her eares would not abhorre my discourse And for good Basilius hee thought it best to haue lodged vs together but that the eternall hatefulnes of my destinie made Gynecias ielousie stoppe that and all other my blessings Yet must I confesse that one way her loue doth me pleasure for since it was my foolish fortune or vnfortunate follie to bee knowen by her that keepes her from bewraying mee to Basilius And thus my Musidorus you haue my Tragedie played vnto you by my selfe which I pray the gods may not in deede prooue a Tragedie And there with he ended making a full point of a hartie sigh Musidorus recommended to his best discourse all which Pyrocles had told him But therein he found such intricatenesse that he could see no way to lead him out of the maze yet perceauing his affection so grouÌ„ded that striuing against it did rather anger then heale the wound and rather call his friendshippe in question then giue place to any friendly counsell Well said he deare cosin since it hath pleased the gods to mingle your other excellencies with this humor of loue yet happie it is that your loue is imployed vpon so rare a
woman for certainly a noble cause dooth ease much a grieuous case But as it stands now nothing vexeth me as that I cannot see wherein I can be seruisable vnto you I desire no greater seruice of you answered Pyrocles thē that you remayn secretly in this country some-times come to this place either late in the night or early in the morning where you shall haue my key to enter bicause as my fortune eyther amends or empaires I may declare it vnto you and haue your counsell and furtheraunce and hereby I will of purpose leade her that is the prayse and yet the staine of all womankinde that you may haue so good a view as to allowe my iudgement and as I can get the most conuenient time I will come vnto you for though by reason of yonder wood you cannot see the Lodge it is harde at hande But now sayd she it is time for me to leaue you and towardes euening we will walke out of purpose hetherward therefore keepe your selfe close in that time But Musidorus bethinking him selfe that his horse might happen to bewray them thought it best to returne for that day to a village not farre of and dispatching his horse in some sort the next day early to come a foote thither and so to keepe that course afterward which Pyrocles very well liked of Now farewell deere cousin said he from me no more Pyrocles nor Daiphantus now but Zelmane Zelmane is my name Zelmane is my title Zelmane is the onely hope of my aduauncement And with that word going out and seeing that the coast was cleare Zelmane dismissed Musidorus who departed as full of care to helpe his friend as before he was to disswade him Zelmane returned to the Lodge where inflamed by Philoclea watched by Gynecia and tired by Basilius she was like a horse desirous to runne and miserablie spurred but so short raind as he cannot stirre forward Zelmane sought occasion to speake with Philoclea Basilius with Zelmane and Gynecia hindered them all If Philoclea hapned to sigh and sigh she did often as if that sigh were to be wayted on Zelmane sighed also whereto Basilius and Gynecia soone made vp foure parts of sorrow Their affection increased their conuersation and their conuersation increased their affection The respect borne bred due ceremonies but the affection shined so through them that the ceremonies seemed not ceremonious Zelmanes eyes were like children before sweet meate eager but fearefull of their ill-pleasing gouernors Time in one instant seeming both short and long vnto them short in the pleasingnes of such presence long in the stay of their desires But Zelmane fayled not to intice them all many times abroad because she was desirous her friend Musidorus neere whom of purpose she led them might haue full sight of them Sometimes angling to a little Riuer neere hand which for the moisture it bestowed vpon rootes of some flourishing Trees was rewarded with their shadowe There would they sit downe and pretie wagers be made betweene Pamela and Philoclea which could soonest beguile silly fishes while Zelmane protested that the fit pray for them was hartes of Princes She also had an angle in her hand but the taker was so taken that she had forgotten taking Basilius in the meane time would be the cooke himselfe of what was so caught and Gynecia sit still but with no still pensifnesse Now she brought them to see a seeled Doue who the blinder she was the higher she straue Another time a Kite which hauing a gut cunningly pulled out of her and so let flie caused all the Kites in that quarter who as oftentimes the world is deceaued thinking her prosperous when indeede she was wounded made the poore Kite find that opinion of riches may well be dangerous But these recreations were interrupted by a delight of more gallant shew for one euening as Basilius returned from hauing forced his thoughts to please themselues in such small conquests there came a shepheard who brought him word that a Gentleman desired leaue to do a message from his Lord vnto him Basilius granted whereupon the Gentleman came and after the dutifull ceremonies obserued in his maisters name tolde him that he was sent from Phalantus of Corinth to craue licence that as he had done in many other courts so he might in his presence defie all Arcadian Knights in the behalfe of his mistres beautie who would besides her selfe in person be present to giue euident proofe what his launce should affirme The conditions of his chalenge were that the defendant should bring his mistresse picture which being set by the image of Artesia so was the mistresse of Phalantus named who in sixe courses should haue better of the other in the iudgement of Basilius with him both the honors and the pictures should remaine Basilius though he had retired himselfe into that solitarie dwelling with intention to auoid rather then to accept any matters of drawing company yet because he would entertaine Zelmane that she might not thinke the time so gainefull to him losse to her graunted him to pitch his tent for three dayes not farre from the lodge and to proclayme his chalenge that what Arcadian Knight for none els but vpon his perill was licensed to come would defende what he honored against Phalantus should haue the like freedome of accesse and returne This obteyned and published Zelmane being desirous to learne what this Phalantus was hauing neuer knowne him further then by report of his good iusting in somuch as he was commonly called The faire man of armes Basilius told her that he had had occasion by one very inward with him to knowe in part the discourse of his life which was that he was bastard-brother to the faire Helen Queene of Corinth and deerly esteemed of her for his exceeding good parts being honorablie courteous and wronglesly valiaunt considerately pleasant in conuersation and an excellent courtier without vnfaithfulnes who finding his sisters vnperswadeable melancholy thorow the loue of Amphialus had for a time left her court and gone into Laconia where in the warre against the Helots he had gotten the reputation of one that both durst and knew But as it was rather choise then nature that led him to matters of armes so as soone as the spur of honor ceased he willingly rested in peaceable delightes being beloued in all companies for his louely qualities and as a man may terme it winning cherefulnes whereby to the Prince and Court of Laconia none was more agreable then Phalantus and he not giuen greatly to struggle with his owne disposition followed the gentle currant of it hauing a fortune sufficient to content and he content with a sufficient fortune But in that court he sawe and was acquainted with this Artesia whose beautie he now defends became her seruant sayd himselfe and perchaunce thought himselfe her louer But certainly said Basilius many times it falles out that these young companions make themselues beleeue they loue
a certaine Sycionian Knight was lost thorow want rather of valour then iustice her husband the famous Argalus would in a chafe haue gone and redeemed it with a new triall But shee more sporting then sorrowing for her vndeserued champion tolde her husbande shee desired to bee beautifull in no bodies eye but his and that shee would rather marre her face as euill as euer it was then that it should be a cause to make Argalus put on armour Then woulde Basilius haue tolde Zelmane that which she already knew of the rare triall of that coupled affection but the next picture made their mouthes giue place to their eyes It was of a young mayd which sate pulling out a thorne out of a Lambes foote with her looke so attentiue vppon it as if that little foote coulde haue bene the circle of her thoughts her apparell so poore as it had nothing but the inside to adorne it a shephooke lying by her with a bottle vpon it But with all that pouertie beauty plaid the prince and commanded as many harts as the greatest Queene there did Her beautie and her estate made her quicklie to be knowne to be the faire shepheardesse Vrania whom a rich knight called Lacemon farre in loue with her had vnluckely defended The last of all in place because last in the time of her being captiue was Zelmane daughter to the King Plexirtus who at the first sight seemed to haue some resembling of Philoclea but with more marking comparing it to the present Philoclea who indeed had no paragon but her sister they might see it was but such a likenesse as an vnperfect glasse doth giue aunswerable enough in some feitures and colors but erring in others But Zelmane sighing turning to Basilius Alas sir said she here be some pictures which might better become the tombes of their Mistresses thē the triumphe of Artesia It is true sweetest Lady saide Basilius some of them bee dead and some other captiue But that hath happened so late as it may bee the Knightes that defended their beauty knew not so much without we will say as in some harts I know it would fall out that death it selfe could not blot out the image which loue hath engrauen in them But diuers besides these said Basilius hath Phalantus woon but he leaues the rest carying onely such who either for greatnes of estate or of beauty may iustly glorifie the glory of Artesias triumph Thus talked Basilius with Zelmane glad to make any matter subiect to speake of with his mistresse while Phalantus in this pompous maner brought Artesia with her gentlewomen into one Tent by which he had another where they both wayted who would first strike vpon the shielde while Basilius the Iudge appointed sticklers and troumpets to whom the other should obey But non that day appeared nor the next till all ready it had consumed halfe his allowance of light but then there came in a knight protesting himselfe as contrarie to him in minde as he was in apparrell For Phalantus was all in white hauing in his bases and caparison imbroidered a wauing water at each side whereof hee had nettings cast ouer in which were diuers fishes naturally made and so pretily that as the horse stirred the fishes seemed to striue and leape in the nette But the other knight by name Nestor by birth an Arcadian in affection vowed to the faire Shepherdesse was all in black with fire burning both vpō his armour and horse His impresa in his shield was a fire made of Iuniper with this word More easie and more sweete But this hote knight was cooled with a fall which at the third course he receiued of Phalantus leauing his picture to keepe companie with the other of the same stampe hee going away remedilesly chafing at his rebuke The next was Polycetes greatly esteemed in Arcadia for deedes he had done in armes and much spoken of for the honourable loue he had long borne to Gynecia which Basilius himselfe was content not onely to suffer but to be delighted with he carried it in so honorable and open plainnes setting to his loue no other marke then to do her faithfull seruice But neither her faire picture nor his faire running could warrant him from ouerthrow and her from becomming as then the last of Artesias victories a thing Gynecias vertues would little haue recked at another time nor then if Zelmane had not seene it But her champion went away asmuch discomforted as discomfited Then Telamon for Polexena and Eurileon for Elpine and Leon for Zoana all braue Knights all faire Ladies with their going downe lifted vp the ballance of his praise for actiuitie and hers for fairenes Vpon whose losse as the beholders were talking there comes into the place where they ranne a shepheard stripling for his height made him more then a boy and his face would not allow him a man brown of complexion whether by nature or by the Suns familiaritie but very louely with all for the rest so perfectly proportioned that Nature shewed shee dooth not like men◠who slubber vp matters of meane account And well might his proportion be iudged for he had nothing vpon him but a paire of sloppes and vpon his bodie a Gote-skinne which hee cast ouer his shoulder doing all things with so pretie a grace that it seemed ignorance could not make him do a misse because he had a hart to do well holding in his right hand a long staffe so cōming with a looke ful of amiable fiercenes as in whō choller could not take away the sweetnes hee came towards the king and making a reuerence which in him was comely because it was kindly My liege Lord said he I pray you heare a few words for my heart wil break if I say not my mind to you I see here the picture of Vrania which I cannot tell how nor why these men when they fall downe they say is not so faire as yonder gay woman But pray God I may neuer see my olde mother aliue if I think she be any more match to Vrania then a Goate is to a fine Lambe or then the Dog that keepes our flock at home is like your white Greihounde that pulled downe the Stagge last day And therefore I pray you let me be drest as they be and my hart giues me I shall tumble him on the earth for indeede hee might aswell say that a Couslip is as white as a Lillie or els I care not let him come with his great staffe and I with this in my hand and you shall see what I can doo to him Basilius sawe it was the fine shepheard Lalus whom once he had afore him in Pastorall sportes and had greatly delighted in his wit full of prety simplicitie and therefore laughing at his earnestnesse he bad him be content since hee sawe the pictures of so great Queenes were faine to follow their champions fortune But Lalus euen weeping ripe went among the rest longing to
see some bodie that would reuenge Vranias wronge and praying hartely for euery bodie that ran against Phalantus then beginning to feele pouerty that he could not set him selfe to that triall But by and by euen when the Sunne like a noble harte began to shew his greatest countenaunce in his lowest estate there came in a Knight called Phebilus a Gentleman of that country for whom hatefull fortune had borrowed the dart of Loue to make him miserable by the sight of Philoclea For he had euen from her in fancie loued her and was striken by her before shee was able to knowe what quiuer of arrowes her eyes caried but he loued and dispaired and the more hee dispaired the more hee loued He sawe his owne vnworthines and thereby made her excellencie haue more terrible aspect vpon him he was so secrete therein as not daring to be open that to no creature he euer spake of it but his hart made such silent complaintes within it selfe that while all his senses were attentiue thereto cunning iudges might perceaue his minde so that hee was knowne to loue though hee denied or rather was the better knowne because hee denied it His armour and his attire was of a Sea couler his Impresa the fish called Sepia which being in the nette castes a blacke inke about it selfe that in the darkenesse thereof it may escape his worde was Not so Philocleas picture with almost an idolatrous magnificence was borne in by him But straight ielousie was a harbinger for disdaine in Zelmanes harte when shee sawe any but her selfe shoulde bee auowed a champion for Philoclea in somuch that she wisht his shame till shee sawe him shamed for at the second course he was striken quite from out of the saddle so full of griefe and rage withall that he would faine with the sworde haue reuenged it but that being contrary to the order set downe Basilius would not suffer so that wishing him selfe in the bottome of the earth hee went his way leauing Zelmane no lesse angry with his losse then shee would haue bene with his victory For if she thought before a riuals prayse would haue angred her her Ladies disgrace did make her much more forget what she then thought while that passion raigned so much the more as shee sawe a pretie blush in Philocleas cheekes bewray a modest discontentment But the night commaunded truce for those sportes and Phalantus though intreated would not leaue Artesia who in no case would come into the house hauing as it were suckte of Cecropias breath a mortall mislike against Basilius But the night measured by the short ell of sleepe was soone past ouer and the next morning had giuen the watchfull stars leaue to take their rest when a trumpet summoned Basilius to play his iudges parte which he did taking his wife and daughters with him Zelmane hauing lockt her doore so as they would not trouble her for that time for already there was a Knight in the fielde readie to proue Helen of Corinth had receaued great iniury both by the erring iudgement of the challenger and the vnlucky weakenesse of her former defender The newe Knight was quickly knowne to be Clitophon Kalanders sonne of Basilius his sister by his armour which all guilt was so well handled that it shewed like a glittering sande and grauell enterlaced with siluer riuers his deuice hee had put in the picture of Helen which hee defended It was the Ermion with a speach that signified Rather dead then spotted But in that armour since hee had parted from Helen who woulde no longer his companie finding him to enter into termes of affection hee had performed so honourable actions still seeking for his two friends by the names of Palladius and Daiphantus that though his face were couered his being was discouered which yet Basilius which had brought him vp in his court woulde not seeme to do but glad to see triall of him of whom he had heard very well he commaunded the trumpets to sound to which the two braue Knights obeying they performed their courses breaking their six staues with so good both skill in the hitting and grace in the maner that it bred some difficulty in the iudgement But Basilius in the ende gaue sentence against Clitophon because Phalantus had broken more staues vpon the head and that once Clitophon had receiued such a blowe that hee had lost the raines of his horse with his head well nie touching the croper of the horse But Clitophon was so angry with the iudgemēt where in he thought he had receiued wrong that he omitted his duty to his Prince and vncle and sodainly went his way still in the quest of them whom as then he had left by seeking and so yeelded the field to the next commer who comming in about two houres after was no lesse marked then all the rest before because he had nothing worth the marking For he had neither picture nor deuice his armour of as old a fashion besides the rustie poorenesse that it might better seeme a monument of his graundfathers courage about his middle he had in steede of bases a long cloak of silke which as vnhandsomely as it needes must became the wearer so that all that lookt on measured his length on the earth alreadie since hee had to meete one who had beene victorious of so many gallants But hee went on towardes the shielde and with a sober grace strake it but as he let his sworde fall vpon it another Knight all in blacke came rustling in who strake the shielde almost assoone as hee and so strongly that hee brake the shielde in two the ill appointed Knight for so the beholders called him angrie with that as hee accounted insolent iniurie to himselfe hit him such a sound blowe that they that looked on saide it well became a rude arme The other aunswered him againe in the same case so that Launces were put to silence the swords were so busie But Phalantus angry of this defacing his shield came vpon the blacke Knight and with the pommell of his sworde set fire to his eyes which presently was reuenged not onely by the Blacke but the ill apparelled Knight who disdained another should enter into his quarrell so as who euer sawe a matachin daunce to imitate fighting this was a fight that did imitate the matachin for they being but three that fought euerie one had two aduersaries striking him who strooke the third and reuenging perhaps that of him which he had receaued of the other But Basilius rising himselfe came to parte them the sticklers authoritie scarslie able to perswade cholerike hearers and parte them he did But before he could determine comes in a fourth halting on foote who complained to Basilius demaunding iustice on the blacke Knight for hauing by force taken away the picture of Pamela from him whiche in little forme hee ware in a Tablet and couered with silke had fastened it to his Helmet purposing for want of a bigger
to paragon the little one with Artesias length not doubting but euen in that little quantitie the excellencie of that would shine thorowe the weakenesse of the other as the smallest starre doth thorow the whole Element of fire And by the way he had met with this blacke Knight who had as hee saide robbed him of it The iniurie seemed grieuous but when it came fully to be examined it was found that the halting Knight meeting the other asking the cause of his going thetherward and finding it was to defende Pamelas diuine beautie against Artesias with a prowde iollitie commaunded him to leaue that quarrell onely for him who was onely worthy to enter into it But the blacke Knight obeying no such commandements they fell to such a bickering that hee gat a halting and lost his picture This vnderstoode by Basilius he told him hee was now fitter to looke to his owne bodie then an others picture and so vncomforted therein sent him away to learne of AEsculapius that he was not fit for Venus But then the question arising who should be the former against Phalantus of the blacke or the ill apparelled Knight who now had gotten the reputation of some sturdy loute hee had so well defended himselfe of the one side was alleged the hauing a picture which the other wanted of the other side the first striking the shield but the conclusion was that the ill apparelled Knight should haue the precedence if he deliuered the figure of his mistresse to Phalantus who asking him for it Certainely said he her liueliest picture if you could see it is in my hart and the best comparison I could make of her is of the Sunne and of all the other heauenly beauties But because perhappes all eyes cannot taste the Diuinitie of her beautie and would rather be dazeled then taught by the light if it bee not clowded by some meaner thing know you then that I defend that same Ladie whose image Phebilus so feebly lost yesternight and in steede of an other if you ouercome mee you shall haue mee your slaue to carrie that image in your mistresse triumphe Phalantus easilie agreed to the bargaine which alreadie he made his owne But when it came to the triall the ill apparelled Knight choosing out the greatest staues in all the store at the first course gaue his head such a remembraunce that he lost almost his remembraunce he himselfe receyuing the incounter of Phalantus without any extraordinarie motion And at the seconde gaue him such a counterbuffe that because Phalantus was so perfite a horseman as not to bee driuen from the saddle the saddle with broken girthes was driuen from the horse Phalantus remaining angrie and amazed because now being come almost to the last of his promised enterprise that disgrace befell him which he had neuer before knowne But the victorie being by the iudges giuen and the trumpets witnessed to the ill by apparelled Knight Phalantus disgrace was ingrieued in lieu of cōfort of Artesia who telling him she neuer lookt for other bad him seeke some other mistresse He excusing himselfe and turning ouer the fault to Fortune Then let that be your ill Fortune too saide she that you haue lost me Nay truely Madame said Phalantus it shall not be so for I thinke the losse of such a Mistresse will prooue a great gaine and so concluded to the sport of Basilius to see young folkes loue that came in maskt with so great pompe goe out with so little constancie But Phalantus first professing great seruice to Basilius for his curteous intermitting his solitary course for his sake would yet conduct Artesia to the castle of Cecropia whether she desired to goe vowing in himselfe that neither hart nor mouth-mouth-loue should euer any more intangle him And with that resolution he left the company Whence all being dismissed among whom the black Knight went away repining at his luck that had kept him from winning the honor as he knew he should haue done to the picture of Pamela the ill apparelled Knight who was only desired to stay because Basilius meant to shew him to Zelmane puld off his Helmet and then was knowen himselfe to be Zelmane who that morning as she told while the others were busie had stolne out to the Princes stable which was a mile off from the Lodge had gotten a horse they knowing it was Basilius pleasure she should be obeyed and borrowing that homely armour for want of a better had come vpon the spur to redeeme Philocleas picture which she said she could not beare being one of that little wildernesse-company should be in captiuitie if the cunning she had learned in her countrye of the noble Amazons could withstand it and vnder that pretext faine she would haue giuen a secret pasport to her affection But this act painted at one instant rednesse in Philocleas face and palenesse in Gynecias but brought forth no other countenances but of admiration no speeches but of commendations all these few besides loue thinking they honoured themselues in honouring so accomplished a person as Zelmane whom dayly they sought with some or other sports to delight for which purpose Basilius had in a house not farre off◠seruants who though they came not vncalled yet at call were redye And so many daies were spent and many waies vsed while Zelmane was like one that stoode in a tree waiting a good occasion to shoot and Gynecia a blauncher which kept the dearest deere from her But the day being come on which according to an apointed course the sheapheards were to assemble and make their pastorall sports afore Basilius Zelmane fearing lest many eyes and comming diuers waies might hap to spy Musidorus went out to warne him thereof But before she could come to the Arbour she sawe walking from her-ward a man in sheapperdish apparrell who being in the sight of the Lodge it might seeme he was allowed there A long cloke he had on but that cast vnder his right arme wherein he held a sheephooke so finely wrought that it gaue a brauery to pouerty and his rayments though they were meane yet receiued they hansomnes by the grace of the wearer though he himselfe went but a kinde of languishing pace with his eies sometimes cast vp to heauen as though his fancies straue to mount higher sometimes throwne downe to the ground as if the earth could not beare the burthen of his sorrowes at length with a lamentable tune he song these fewe verses Come shepheards weedes become your masters minde Yeld outward shew what inward change he tryes Nor be abasht since such a guest you finde Whose strongest hope in your weake comfort lyes Come shepheards weedes attend my woefull cryes Disuse your selues from sweete Menalcas voice For other be those tunes which sorrow tyes From those cleere notes which freely may reioyce Then power out plaint and in oneword say this Helples his plaint who spoyles himselfe of blisse And hauing ended he strake himselfe on the
brest saying O miserable wretch whether do thy destenies guide thee The voice made Zelmane hasten her pace to ouertake him which hauing done she plainly perceaued that it was her deare friend Musidorus whereat maruailing not a little she demaunded of him whether the Goddesse of those woods had such a powre to transforme euery body or whether as in all enterprises else he had done he meant thus to match her in this newe alteration Alas said Musidorus what shall I say who am loth to say and yet faine would haue said I find indeed that all is but lip-wisdome which wants experience I now woe is me do try what loue can doo O Zelmane who will resist it must either haue no wit or put out his eyes can any man resist his creation certainely by loue we are made and to loue we are made Beasts only cannot discerne beauty and let them be in the role of Beasts that doo not honor it The perfect friendship Zelmane bare him and the great pitie she by good triall had of such cases could not keepe her from smiling at him remembring how vehemently he had cryed out against the folly of louers And therefore a litle to punish him Why how now deere cousin said she you that were last day so hie in the Pulpit against louers are you now become so meane an auditor Remember that loue is a passion and that a worthie mans reason must euer haue the masterhood I recant I recant cryed Musidorus and withall falling downe prostrate O thou celestiall or infernall spirit of Loue or what other heauenly or hellish title thou list to haue for effects of both I finde in my selfe haue compassion of me and let thy glory be as great in pardoning them that be submitted to thee as in conquering those that were rebellious No no saide Zelmane I see you well enough you make but an enterlude of my mishaps and doo but counterfaite thus to make me see the deformitie of my passions but take heede that this iest do not one day turne to earnest Now I beseech thee said Musidorus taking her â—ast by the hand euen for the truth of our friendship of which if I be not altogether an vnhappy man thou hast some rememberance and by those secret flames which I know haue likewise neerely touched thee make no iest of that which hath so ernestly pearced me thorow nor let that be light to thee which is to me so burdenous that I am not able to beare it Musidorus both in words and behauiour did so liuely deliuer out his inward griefe that Zelmane found indeede he was thorowly wounded but there rose a new ielousy in her minde lest it might be with Philoclea by whome as Zelmane thought in right all hartes and eyes should be inherited And therefore desirous to be cleered of that doubt Musidorus shortly as in hast and full of passionate perplexednes thus recounted his case vnto her The day said he I parted from you I being in mind to returne to a towne from whence I came hether my horse being before tired would scarce beare me a mile hence where being benighted the light of a candle I saw a good way off guided me to a young shepheards house by name Menalcas who seing me to be a straying stranger with the right honest hospitalitie which seemes to be harboured in the Arcadian brests and though not with curious costlines yet with cleanly sufficiencie entertained me and hauing by talke with him found the manner of the countrie something more in particular then I had by Kalanders report I agreed to soiourne with him in secret which he faithfully promised to obserue And so hether to your arbour diuers times repaired and here by your meanes had the sight O that it had neuer bene so nay O that it might euer be so of the Goddesse who in a definite compasse can set forth infinite beauty All this while Zelmane was racked with iealousie But he went on For saide he I lying close and in truth thinking of you and saying thus to my selfe O sweet Pyrocles how art thou bewitched where is thy vertue where is the vse of thy reason how much am I inferior to thee in the state of the mind And yet know I that all the heauens cannot bring me to such thraldome Scarcely thinke I had I spoken this word wheÌ„ the Ladies came foorth at which sight I thinke the very words returned backe againe to strike my soule at least an vnmeasurable sting I felt in my selfe that I had spokeÌ„ such words At which sight said Zelmane not able to beare him any longer O said Musidorus I know your suspition No no banish all such feare it was it is and must be Pamela Then all is safe sayd Zelmane proceede deare Musidorus I will not said he impute it to my late solitarie life which yet is prone to affections nor to the much thinking of you though that cald the consideration of loue into my mind which before I euer neglected nor to the exaltation of Venus nor reuenge of Cupid but euen to her who is the Planet nay the Goddesse against which the onely shield must be my Sepulchre When I first saw her I was presently striken and I like a foolish child that when any thing hits him will strike himselfe againe vpon it would needs looke againe as though I would perswade mine eyes that they were deceiued But alas well haue I found that Loue to a yeelding hart is a king but to a resisting is a tyrant The more with arguments I shaked the stake which he had planted in the ground of my harte the deeper still it sanke into it But what meane I to speake of the causes of my loue which is as impossible to describe as to measure the back-side of heauen Let this word suffice I loue And that you may know I doo so it was I that came in black armour to defende her picture where I was both preuented and beaten by you And so I that waited here to do you seruice haue now my selfe most need of succor But whereupon got you your selfe this aparrell said Zelmane I had forgotten to tell you said Musidorus though that were one principall matter of my speech so much am I now master of my owne minde But thus it happened being returned to Menalcas house full of tormenting desire after a while faynting vnder the weight my courage stird vp my wit to seeke for some releefe before I yeelded to perish At last this came into my head that very euening that I had to no purpose last vsed my horse and armour I tolde Menalcas that I was a Thessalian Gentle-man who by mischaunce hauing killed a great fauorit of the Prince of that country was pursued so cruelly that in no place but either by fauour or corruption they would obtaine my destruction and that therefore I was determined till the fury of my persecutors might be asswaged to disguise my selfe among the shephards
walked hard by them carying many vnquiet contentions about her the Ladies sate them downe inquiring diuerse questions of the shepheard Dorus who keeping his eie still vpon Pamela answered with such a trembling voice and abashed countenance and oftentimes so far from the matter that it was some sport to the young Ladies thinking it want of education which made him so discountenaunced with vnwoonted presence But Zelmane that saw in him the glasse of her owne miserie taking the hand of Philoclea and with burning kisses setting it close to her lips as if it should stand there like a hand in the margine of a Booke to note some saying worthy to be marked began to speake these words O Loue since thou art so changeable in mens estates how art thou so constant in their torments when sodainly there came out of a wood a monstrous Lion with a she Beare not far from him of litle lesse fiercenes which as they ghest hauing bene hunted in Forests far off were by chaunce come thether where before such beastes had neuer bene seene Then care not feare or feare not for themselues altered some thing the countenances of the two Louers but so as any man might perceiue was rather an assembling of powers then dismaiednes of courage Philoclea no sooner espied the Lion but that obeying the commandement of feare she lept vp and ran to the lodge-ward as fast as her delicate legs could carrie her while Dorus drew Pamela behind a tree where she stood quaking like the Partridge on which the Hawke is euen ready to seaze But the Lion seing Philoclea run away bent his race to her-ward and was ready to seaze him selfe on the pray when Zelmane to whome daunger then was a cause of dreadlesnes all the composition of her elements being nothing but fierie with swiftnesse of desire crost him and with force of affection strake him such a blow vpon his chine that she opened all his body wherewith the valiant beast turning vpon her with open iawes she gaue him such a thrust thorow his brest that all the Lion could do was with his paw to teare of the mantle and sleeue of Zelmane with a little scratch rather then a wound his death-blow hauing taken away the effect of his force But there withall he fell downe and gaue Zelmane leasure to take of his head to carrie it for a present to her Ladie Philoclea who all this while not knowing what was done behind her kept on her course like Arethusa when she ran from Alpheus her light apparell being carried vp with the winde that much of those beauties she would at another time haue willingly hidden was presented to the sight of the twise wounded Zelmane Which made Zelmane not folow her ouer hastily lest she should too soone depriue her selfe of that pleasure But carying the Lions head in her hand did not fully ouertake her till they came to the presence of Basilius Neither were they long there but that Gynecia came thether also who had bene in such a traunce of musing that Zelmane was fighting with the Lion before she knew of any Lions comming but then affection resisting and the soone ending of the fight preuenting all extremitie of feare she marked Zelmanes fighting And when the Lions head was of as Zelmane ran after Philoclea so she could not find in her hart but run after Zelmane so that it was a new sight Fortune had prepared to those woods to see these great personages thus runne one after the other each carried forward with an inward violence Philoclea with such feare that she thought she was still in the Lions mouth Zelmane with an eager and impatient delight Gynecia with wings of Loue flying she neither knew nor cared to know whether But now being all come before Basilius amazed with this sight and feare hauing such possession in the faire Philoclea that her bloud durst not yet to come to her face to take away the name of palenesse from her most pure whitenes Zelmane kneeled downe and presenting the Lions head vnto her Only Ladie said she here see you the punishment of that vnnaturall beast which contrary to his owne kind would haue wronged Princes bloud guided with such traiterous eies as durst rebell against your beauty Happy am I and my beautie both answered the sweete Philoclea then blushing for feare had bequeathed his roome to his kinsman bashfulnes that you excellent Amazon were there to teach him good manners And euen thankes to that beautie answered Zelmane which can giue an edge to the bluntest swords There Philoclea told her father how it had hapned but as she had turned her eyes in her tale to Zelmane she perceiued some bloud vpoÌ„ Zelmanes shoulder so that starting with the louely grace of pitty she shewed it to her Father and mother who as the nurse sometimes with ouer-much kissing may forget to giue the babe sucke so had they with too much delighting in beholding and praysing Zelmane left of to marke whether she needed succour But then they ran both vnto her like a father mother to an onely childe and though Zelmane assured them it was nothing would needes see it Gynecia hauing skill in surgery an arte in those daies much esteemed because it serued to vertuous courage which euen Ladies would euer with the contempt of cowardes seeme to cherish But looking vpon it which gaue more inward bleeding wounds to Zelmane for she might sometimes feele Philocleas touch whiles she helped her mother she found it was indeed of no importance yet applied shee a pretious baulme vnto it of power to heale a greater griefe But euen then and not before they remembred Pamela and therefore Zelmane thinking of her friend Dorus was running back to be satisfied when they might all see Pamela comming between Dorus and Dametas hauing in her hand the paw of a Beare which the shepheard Dorus had newly presented vnto her deâ—iring her to accept it as of such a beast which though she deserued death for her presumption yet was her witt to be esteemed since she could make so sweet a choice Dametas for his part came piping and dauncing the meriest man in a parish But when he came so neere as he might be heard of Basilius hee would needs breake thorow his eares with this ioyfnll song of their good successe NOw thanked be the great God Pan which thus preserues my loued life Thanked be I that keepe a man who ended hath this bloodie strife For if my man must praises haue what then must I that keepe the knaue For as the Moone the eie doth please with gentle beames not hurting sight Yet hath sir Sunne the greatest praise because from him doth come her light So if my man must praises haue what then must I that keepe the knaue Being all now come together and all desirous to know each others adueÌ„tures Pamelas noble hart would needs gratefully make known the valiaÌ„t mean of her safety which directing her speach to her
folly of the keeper who thinking himselfe able to rule them had caried them abroad and so was deceiued whom yet if Basilius would punish for it she was readie to deliuer Basilius made no other answere but that his Mistres if she had any more such beastes should cause them to be killed and then hee told his wife and Zelmane of it because they should not feare those woods as though they harbored such beasts where the like had neuer bene seene But Gynecia tooke a further conceit of it mistrusting greatly Cecropia because she had heard much of the diuellish wickednesse of her heart and that particularly she did her best to bring vp her sonne Amphialus being brothers sonne to Basilius to aspire to the crowne as next heire male after Basilius and therefore saw no reason but that she might coniecture it proceeded rather of some mischieuous practise than of misfortune Yet did shee onely vtter her doubt to her daughters thinking since the worst was past shee would attend a further occasion least ouer much haste might seeme to proceede of the ordinarie mislike betweene sisters in Lawe onely they maruelled that Basilius looked no further into it who good man thought so much of his late conceiued common wealth that all other matters were but digressions vnto him But the shepheards were ready and with well handling themselues called their senses to attend their pastimes The first Ecloges BAsilius because Zelmane so would haue it vsed the artificiall day of torches to lighten the sportes their inuentions could minister And because many of the shepheardes were but newlie come hee did in a gentle manner chastise their negligence with making them for that night the Torchbearers and the others he willed with all freedome of speech and behauiour to keepe their accustomed method Which while they prepared to do Dametas who much disdayned since his late authority all his old companions brought his seruant Dorus in good acquaintance and allowance of them and himself stood like a directer ouer them with nodding gaping winking or stamping shewing how he did like or mislike those things he did not vnderstand The first sports the shepheards shewed wearful of such leapes and gambols as being accorded to the pipe which they bare in their mouthes euen as they daunced made a right picture of their chiefe God Pan and his companions the Satyres Then would they cast away their Pipes and holding hand in hand daunce as it were in a braule by the only cadence of their voices which they would vse in singing some short coplets whereto the one halfe beginning the other halfe should answere as the one halfe saying We loue and haue our loues rewarded The others would answere We loue and are no whit regarded The first againe We finde moste sweete affections snare With like tune it should be as in a quire sent backe againe That sweete but sower dispairefull care A third time likewise thus Who can dispaire whom hope doth beare The answere And who can hope that feeles despaire Then all ioyning their voyces and dauncing a faster measure they would conclude with some such wordes As without breath no pipe doth mone No musicke kindlye without loue Hauing thus varied both their songs and daunces into diuers sorts of inuentions their last sport was one of them to prouoke an other to a more large expressing of his passions which Thyrsis accounted one of the best singers amongst them hauing marked in Dorus dauncing no lesse good grace hansome behauiour then extreame tokens of a troubled mind began first with his Pipe and then with his voice thus to chalenge Dorus and was by him answered in the vnder-written sorte Thyrsis and Dorus. Thyrsis Come Dorus come let songs thy sorrowes signifie And if for want of vse thy minde ashamed is That very shame with loues high title dignifie No stile is held for base where loue well named is Each eare suckes vp the words a true loue scattereth And plaine speach oft then quaint phrase better framed is Dorus. Nightingales seldome sing the Pie still chattereth The wood cries most before it throughly kindled be◠Deadly wounds inward bleed each sleight sore mattereth Hardly they heard which by good hunters singled be Shallow brookes murmure most deep silent slide away Nor true loue loues his loues with others mingled be Thyrsis If thou wilt not be seene thy face goe hide away Be none of vs or els maintaine our fashion Who frownes at others feastes doth better bide away But if thou hast a loue in that loues passion I challenge thee by shew of her perfection Which of vs two deserueth most compassion Dorus. Thy challenge great but greater my protection Sing then and see for now thou hast inflamed me Thy health too meane a match for my infection No though the heau'ns for high attempts haue blamed me Yet high is my attempt O Muse historifie Her praise whose praise to learne your skill hath framed me Thyrsis Muse holde your peace but thou my God Pan glorifie My Kalas giftes who with all good gifts filled Thy pipe ô Pan shall help though I sing sorilie A heape of sweetes she is where nothing spilled is Who though she be no Bee yet full of honie is A Lillie field with plowe of Rose which tilled is Milde as a Lambe more daintie then a Conie is Her eyes my eyesight is her conuersation More gladde to me then to a miser monie is What coye account she makes of estimation How nice to touch how all her speeches peized be A Nimph thus turnde but mended in translation Dorus. Such Kala is but ah my fancies raised be In one whose name to name were high presumption Since vertues all to make her title pleased be O happie Gods which by inward assumption Enioy her soule in bodies faire possession And keepe it ioynde fearing your seates consumption How oft with rayne of teares skies make confession Their dwellers rapt with sight of her perfection From heau'enly throne to her heau'n vse digression Of best things then what world can yeeld confection To liken her decke yours with your comparison She is her selfe of best things the collection Thyrsis How oft my dolefull Sire cried to me tarrie sonne When first he spied my loue how oft he said to me Thou art no souldier fitt for Cupids garrison My sonne keepe this that my long toyle hath laide to me Loue well thine owne me thinkes woolles whitenes passeth all I neuer found long loue such wealth hath paide to me This wind he spent but when my Kala glasseth all My sight in her faire limmes I then assure my selfe Not rotten sheepe but high crownes she surpasseth all Can I be poore that her golde haire procure my selfe Want I white wooll whose eyes her white skinne garnished Till I get her shall I to keepe enure my selfe Dorus. How oft when reason saw loue of her harnised With armour of my hart he cried O vanitie To set a pearle in steele so meanly
varnished Looke to thy selfe reach not beyond humanitie Her minde beames state farre from thy weake wings banished And loue which louer hurts is in humanitie Thus Reason said but she came Reason vanished Her eyes so maistering me that such obiection Seem'd but to spoyle the foode of thoughts long famished Her peereles height my minde to high erection Drawes vp and if hope fayling end liues pleasure Of fayrer death how can I make election Thyrsis Once my well waiting eyes espied my treasure With sleeues turnde vp loose hair and brest enlarged Her fathers corne mouing her fair limmes measure O cried I of so meane worke be discharged Measure my case how by thy beauties filling With seed of woes my hart brimme full is charged Thy father bids thee saue and chides for spilling Saue then my soule spill not my thoughts well heaped No louely praise was euer got by killing These bolde words she did beare this fruite I reaped That she whose looke alone might make me blessed Did smile on me and then away she leaped Dorus. Once O sweete once I saw with dread oppressed Her whom I dread so that with prostrate lying Her length the earth in Loues chiefe clothing dressed I saw that riches fall and fell a crying Let not dead earth enioy so deare a couer But deck therwith my soule for your sake dying Lay all your feare vpon your fearefull louer Shine eyes on me that both our liues be guarded So I your sight you shall your selues recouer I cried and was with open rayes rewarded But straight they fledd summond by cruell honor Honor the cause desart is not regarded Thyrsis This mayde thus made for ioyes ô Pan bemone her That without loue she spends her yeares of loue So faire a field would well become an owner And if enchantment can a hard hart moue Teach me what circle may acquiant her sprite Affections charmes in my behalfe to proue The circle is my round about her sight The power I will inuoke dwelles in her eyes My charme should be she haunt me day and night Dorus. Farre other case ô Muse my sorrow tries Bent to such one in whome my selfe must say Nothing can mend that point that in her lies What circle then in so rare force beares sway Whose sprite all sprites can foile raise damne or saue No charme holdes hir but well possesse she may Possesse she doth and makes my soule her slaue My eyes the bandes my thoughts the fatall knot No thrall like them that inward bondage haue Thyrsis Kala at length conclude my lingring lotte Disdaine me not although I be not faire Who is an heir of many hundreth sheep Doth beawties keep which neuer sunne can burne Nor stormes doo turne fairnes serues oft to wealth Yet all my health I place in your good will Which if you will ô doo bestow on me Such as you see such still you shall me finde Constant and kind my sheep your foode shall breed Their wooll your weede I will you musique yeeld In flowrie field and as the day begins With twentie ginnes we will the small birds take And pastimes make as nature things hath made But when in shade we meete of mirtle bowes Then loue allowes our pleasures to enrich The thought of which doth passe all worldlie pelfe Dorus. Lady your selfe whome neither name I dare And titles are but spots to such a worth Heare plaints come forth from dungeon of my mind The noblest kinde reiects not others woes I haue no shewes of wealth my wealth is you My beauties hewe your beames my health your deeds My minde for weeds your vertues liuerie weares My foode is teares my tunes wamenting yeeld Dispaire my fielde the flowers spirits warrs My day new cares my ginnes my daily sight In which doe light small birds of thoughts orethrowne My pastimes none time passeth on my fall Nature made all but me of dolours made I find no shade but where my Sunne doth burne No place to turne without within it fries Nor helpe by life or death who liuing dyes Thyrsis But if my Kala thus my sute denyes Which so much reason beares Let crowes pick out mine eyes which too much sawe If shee still hate loues lawe My earthy mould doth melt in watrye teares Dorus. My earthy mould doth melt in watrye teares And they againe resolue To aire of sighes sighes to the hartes fire turne Which doth to ashes burne Thus doth my life within it selfe dissolue Thyrsis Thus doth my life within it selfe dissolue That I growe like the beaste Which beares the bytt a weaker force doth guide Yet patient must abide Such weight it hath which once is full possest Dorus. Such weight it hath which once is full possest That I become a vision Which hath in others head his only being And liues in fancie seing O wretched state of man in selfe diuision Thyrsis O wretched state of man in selfe diuision O well thou saiest a feeling declaration Thy toong hath made of Cupids deepe incision But now hoarse voyce doth faile this occupation And others long to tell their loues condicion Of singing thou hast got the reputation Dorus. Of singing thou hast got the reputation Good Thyrsis mine I yeld to thy abilitie My hart doth seek an other estimation But ah my Muse I would thou hadst facilitie To worke my goddesse so by thy inuention On me to cast those eyes where shine nobilitie Seene and vnknowne hearde but without attention Dorus did so well in answering Thyrsis that euery one desired to heare him sing something alone Seing therfore a Lute lying vnder the Princesse Pamelas feete glad to haue such an errand to approch her he came but came with a dismaied grace all his bloud stirred betwixt feare and desire And playing vpon it with such sweetenes as euery bodie wondered to see such skill in a shepeheard he sang vnto it with a sorrowing voice these Elegiake verses Dorus. Fortune Nature Loue long haue contended about me Which should most miseries cast on a worme that I am Fortune thus gan say misery and misfortune is all one And of misfortune fortune hath only the gift With strong foes on land on seas with contrary tempests Still doo I crosse this wretch what so he taketh in hand Tush tush said nature this is all but a trifle a mans selfe Giues happs or mishapps eu'n as he ordreth his hearte But so his humor I frame in a mould of choller adusted That the delights of life shall be to him dolorouse Loue smiled and thus said Want ioynd to desire is vnhappy But if he nought do desire what can Heraclitus aile None but I workes by desire by desire haue I kindled in his soule Infernall agonies vnto a bewtye diuine Where thou poore nature left'st all thy due glory to fortune Her vertue is soueraine fortune a vassal of hers Nature abasht went back fortune blusht yet she replide thus And eu'n in that loue shall I reserue him a spite Thus thus alas wofull
in nature vnhappy by fortune But most wretched I am now loue awakes my desire Dorus when he had soong this hauing had all the while a free beholding of the faire Pamela who could well haue spared such honor and defended the assault he gaue vnto hir face with bringing a faire staine of shamefastnes vnto it let fall his armes and remained so fastened in his thoughts as if Pamela had graffed him there to growe in continuall imagination But Zelmane espying it and fearing he should too much forget himselfe she came to him and tooke out of his hand the Lute and laying fast hold of Philocleas face with her eyes she soong these Sapphikes speaking as it were to hir owne hope If mine eyes can speake to doo harty errande Or mine eyes language she doo hap to iudge of So that eyes message be of her receaued Hope we do liue yet But if eyes faile then when I most doo need them Or if eyes language be not vnto her knowne So that eyes message doo returne reiected Hâ—pe we doo both dye Yet dying and dead doo we sing her honour So become our tombes monuments of her praise So becomes our losse the triumph of her gaine Hers be the glory If the spheares senselesse doo yet hold a musique If the Swannes sweet voice be not heard but at death If the mute timber when it hath the life lost Yeldeth a Lutes tune Are then humane mindes priuiledg'd so meanly As that hatefull death can abridge them of powre With the vowe of truth to record to all worlds That we be her spoiles Thus not ending ends the due praise of her praise Fleshly vaile consumes but a soule hath his life Which is held in loue loue it is that hath ioynd Life to this our soule But if eyes can speake to doo harty errand Or mine eyes language she doo hap to iudge of So that eyes message be of her receaued Hope we do liue yet Great was the pleasure of Basilius and greater would haue bene Gynaecias but that she found too well it was intended to her daughter As for Philoclea she was swetely rauished withall When Dorus desiring in a secret maner to speake of their cases as perchance the parties intended might take some light of it making lowe reuerence to Zelmane began this prouoking song in hexameter verse vnto her Wherevnto she soone finding whither his words were directed in like tune and verse answered as foloweth Dorus. Zelmane Dorus. Lady reserud by the heau'ns to do pastors company honnor Ioyning your sweete voice to the rurall muse of a deserte Here you fully do finde this strange operation of loue How to the woods loue runnes as well as rydes to the Pallace Neither he beares reuerence to a Prince nor pittie to begger But like a point in midst of a circle is still of a neernesse All to a lesson he draw's nether hills nor caues can auoide him Zelmane Worthy shepeheard by my song to my selfe all fauor is happned That to the sacred Muse my anoyes somewhat be reuealed Sacred Muse who in one contaynes what nine do in all them But ô happy be you which safe from fyry reflection Of Phoebus violence in shade of sweet Cyparissus Or pleasant mirtell may teach th' vnfortunate Echo In these woods to resounde the renowmed name of a goddesse Happy be you that may to the saint your onely Idea Although simply atyrde your manly affection vtter Happy be those mishapps which iustly proportion holding Giue right sound to the eares and enter aright to the iudgement But wretched be the soules which vaild in a contrary subiect How much more we do loue so the lesse our loues be beleeued What skill salueth a soare of a wrong infirmity iudged What can iustice auaile to a man that tells not his owne case You though feares do abash in you still possible hopes be Nature against we do seeme to rebell seeme fooles in a vaine sute But so vnheard condemn'd kept thence we do seeke to abide in Selfe-lost in wandring banished that place we doe come from What meane is there alas we can hope our losse to recouer What place is there left we may hope our woes to recomfort Vnto the heau'ns our wings be too short earth thinks vs a burden Aire we do still with sighes encrease to the fire we do want none And yet his outward heate our teares would quench but an inward Fire no liquor can coole Neptunes realme would not auaile vs. Happy shepheard with thanks to the Gods still thinke to be thankfull That to thy aduauncement their wisdomes haue thee abased Dorus. Vnto the Gods with a thanckfull heart all thankes I do render That to my aduauncement their wisdomes haue me abased But yet alas O but yet alas our happs be but hard happs Which must frame contempt to the fittest purchase of honnour Well may a Pastor plaine but alas his plaints be not esteem'de Silly shepheards poore pype when his harsh sound testifi's anguish Into the faire looker on pastime not passion enters And to the woods or brookes who do make such dreery recitall What be the pangs they beare and whence those pangs be deriued Pleasd to receaue that name by rebounding answere of Echo May hope therby to ease their inward horrible anguish When trees daunce to the pype and swift streames stay by the musicke Or when an Echo begins vnmou'd to sing them a loue song Say then what vantage do we get by the trade of a Pastor Since no estates be so base but loue vouchsafeth his arrow Since no refuge doth serue from woundes we do carry about vs Since outward pleasures be but halting helpes to decayd soules Saue that dayly we may discerne what fire we do burne in Farre more happy be you whose greatnes gets a free accesse Whose faire bodily gifts are fram'd most louely to each ey Vertue you haue of vertue you haue left proofe to the whole world And vertue is gratefull with bewty and richnes adorned Neither doubt you awhit time will your passion vtter Hardly remains fyer hid where skill is bent to the hiding But in a minde that would his flames should not be repressed Nature worketh enough with a small help for the reuealing Giue therefore to the Muse great praise in whose very likenes You doo approch to the fruite your onely desir's be to gather Zelmane First shall fertill grounds not yeeld increase of a good seed First the riuers shall ceasse to repay their fludds to the Occean First may a trusty Greyhounde transforme himselfe to a Tigre First shall vertue be vice and bewty be counted a blemishe Ere that I leaue with song of praise her praise to solemnize Her praise whence to the world all praise hath his only beginning But yet well I doo finde each man most wise in his owne case None can speake of a wound with skill if he haue not a wound felt Great to thee my state seemes thy state is blest by my
likerouse is offered vnto it But before any other came in to supplie the place Zelmane hauing heard some of the shepheards by chaunce name Strephon and Klaius supposing thereby they had bene present was desirous both to heare them for the fame of their frindly loue and to know them for their kindenesse towardes her best loued frinde Much grieued was Basilius that any desire of his mistresse should bee vnsatisfied and therefore to represent them vnto hir aswell as in their absence it might be he commaunded on Lamon who had at large sett down their country pastimes and first loue to Vrania to sing the whole discourse which he did in this manner A Shepheards tale no height of stile desires To raise in words what in effect is lowe A plaining songe plaine-singing voice requires For warbling notes from inward chearing flow I then whose burd'ned brest but thus aspires Of shepheards two the seely case to show Nede not the stately Muses helpe inuoke For creeping rimes which often sighings choke But you ô you that thinke not teares to deare To spend for harms although they touch you not And deigne to deeme your neighbors mischefe neare Although they be of meaner parents gott You I inuite with easie eares to heare The poore-clad truth of loues wrong-ordred lot Who may be glad be glad you be not such Who share in woe weygh others haue as much Ther was ô seldome blessed word of was A paire of frends or rather one cal'd two Train'd in the life which on short-bitten grasse In shine or storme must sett the doubted shoe He that the other in some yeares did passe And in those gifts that years distribute doe Was Klaius cald ah Klaius wofull wight The later borne yet too soone Strephon hight Epeirus high was honest Klaius nest To Strephon AEoles land first breathing lent But East West were ioin'd by frendships hest As Strephons eare heart to Klaius bent So Klaius soule did in his Strephon rest Still both their flocks flocking togither went As if they would of owners humour be And eke their pipes did well as frends agree Klaius for skill of hearb's shepheards art Among the wisest was accounted wise Yet not so wise as of vnstained harte Strephon was yonge yet markt with humble eies How elder rul'd their flocks cur'd their smart So that the graue did not his words despise Both free of minde both did clear-dealing loue And both had skill in verse their voice to moue Their chearfull minds till pois'ned was their cheare The honest sports of earthy lodging proue Now for a clod-like hare in fourm they peere Now bolt cudgill squirrels leape do moue Now the ambitiouse Larke with mirror cleare They catch while he foole to himself makes loue And now at keels they trie a harmles chaunce And now their curr they teach to fetch daunce When mery May first early calls the morne With mery maids a mayeng they do go Then do they pull from sharpe niggard thorne The plenteous sweets can sweets so sharply grow Then some grene gowns are by the lasses worne In chastest plaies till home they walke a rowe While daunce about the may-pole is begun When if nede were they could at quintain run While thus they ran a low but leaueld race While thus they liu'd this was indede a life With nature pleas'd content with present case Free of proud feares braue begg'ry smiling strife Of clime-fall Court the enuy-hatching place While those restles desires in great men rife To visite so low folkes did much disdaine This while though poore they in themselues did raigne One day ô day that shin'de to make them darke While they did ward sun-beames with shady bay And Klaius taking for his yongling carke Lest greedy eies to them might challenge lay Busy with oker did their shoulders marke His marke a Piller was deuoid of stay As bragging that free of all passions mone Well might he others beare but leane to none Strephon with leauy twiggs of Laurell tree A garland made on temples for to weare For he then chosen was the dignitie Of village-Lord that whitsontide to beare And full poore foole of boyish brauery With triumphs shews would shew he nought did feare But fore-accounting oft makes builders misse They found they felt they had no lease of blisse For ere that either had his purpose done Behold beholding well it doth deserue They saw a maid who thitherward did runne To catch hir sparrow which from hir did swerue As she a black-silke cap on him begunne To sett for foile of his milke-white to serue She chirping ran he peeping flew away Till hard by them both he she did stay Well for to see they kept themselues vnsene And saw this fairest maid of fairer minde By fortune meare in Nature borne a Queene How well apaid she was hir birde to finde How tenderly hir tender hands betweene In iuory cage she did the micher binde How rosy moist'ned lipps about his beake Mouing she seem'd at once to kisse speake Chastned but thus thus his lesson tought The happy wretch she putt into hir breast Which to their eies the bowles of Venus brought For they seem'd made euen of skie-mettall best And that the bias of hir bloud was wrought Betwixt them two the peeper tooke his nest Where snugging well he well appear'd content So to haue done amisse so to be shent This done but done with captiue-killing grace Each motion seeming shott from beauties bow With length laid downe she deckt the lonely place Proud grew the grasse that vnder hir did growe The trees spred out their armes to shade hir face But she on elbow lean'd with sigh's did show No grasse no trees nor yet hir sparrow might To long-perplexed minde breed long delight She troubled was alas that it mought be With tedious brawlings of her parents deare Who would haue hir in will worde agree To wedd Antaxius their neighbour neare A heardman rich of much account was he In whome no euill did raigne nor good appeare In some such one she lik'd not his desire Faine would be free but dreadeth parents ire Kindly sweete soule she did vnkindnes take That bagged baggage of a misers mudd Should price of hir as in a market make But golde can guild a rotten piece of wood To yeeld she found hir noble heart did ake To striue she fear'd how it with vertue stoode This doubting clouds ore-casting heau'nly braine At length in rowes of Kisse-cheeke teares they raine Cupid the wagg that lately conquer'd had Wise Counsellors stout Captaines puissant Kings And ti'de them fast to leade his triumph badd Glutted with them now plaies with meanest things So oft in feasts with costly chaunges cladd To crammed mawes a spratt new Stomake brings So Lords with sport of Stagg Hearon full Sometimes we vse small birds from nests do pull So now for pray these shepheards two he tooke Whose mettall stiff he knew he could not bende
thy presence to such a dust-creeping worme as I am O you heauens which continually keepe the course allotted vnto you can none of your influences preuaile so much vpon the miserable Gynecia as to make her preserue a course so long imbraced by her O deserts deserts how fita guest am I for you since my hart can people you with wild rauenous beastes which in you are wanting O Vertue where doost thou hide thy selfe What hideous thinge is this which doeth Eclips thee Or is it true that thou weart neuer but a vaine name and no essentiall thing which hast thus left thy professed seruant when she had most need of thy louely presence O imperfect proportioÌ„ of reason which can too much foresee too little preuent Alas alas said she if there were but one hope for all my paines or but one excuse for all my faultinesse But wretch that I am my torment is beyond all succour and my euill deseruing doth exceed my euill fortune For nothing els did my husband take this straunge resolution to liue so solitarily for nothing els haue the windes deliuered this straunge guest to my country for nothing els haue the destinies reserued my life to this time but that onely I most wretched I should become a plague to my selfe and a shame to womankind Yet if my desire how vniust so euer it be might take effect though a thousand deaths folowed it and euery death were followed with a thousand shames yet should not my sepulcher receiue mee without some contentment But alas though sure I am that Zelmane is such as can answer my loue yet as sure I am that this disguising must needs come for some foretaken coÌ„ceipt And then wretched Gynecia where canst thou find any small ground plot for hope to dwel vpon No no it is Philoclea his hart is sett vpoÌ„ it is my daughter I haue borne to supplant me But if it bee so the life I haue giuen thee vngratefull Philoclea I will sooner with these handes bereaue thee of then my birth shall glory she hath bereaued me of my desires In shame there is no comfort but to bee beyond all bounds of shame Hauing spoken thus she began to make a piteous war with hir faire haire when she might heare not far froÌ„ her an extremely dolefull voice but so suppressed with a kind of whispering note that she could not conceaue the wordes distinctly But as a lamentable tune is the sweetest musicke to a wofull mind shee drewe thether heere-away in hope to find some companioÌ„ of her misery And as she paced on she was stopped with a number of trees so thickly placed together that she was afraide shee should with rushing thorow stop the speach of the lamentable partie which shee was so desirous to vnderstand And therefore setting her downe as softlie as she could for she was now in distaunce to heare she might first perceaue a Lute excellentlie well played vppon and then the same dolefull voyce accompanyinge it with these verses IN vaine mine Eyes you labour to amende With flowing teares your fault of hasty sight Since to my hart her shape you so did sende That her I see though you did lose your light In vaine my Hart now you with sight are burnd With sighes you seeke to coole your hotte desire Since sighes into mine inward fornace turnd For bellowes serue to kindle more the fire Reason in vaine now you haue lost my hart My head you seeke as to your strongest forte Since there mine eyes haue played so false a parte That to your strength your foes haue sure resorte Then since in vaine I find were all my strife To this strange death I vainely yeeld my life The ending of the song serued but for a beginning of new plaints as if the mind oppressed with too heauy a burtheÌ„ of cares was faine to discharge it self of al sides as it were paint out the hideousnes of the paine in all sortes of coulours For the wofull person as if the lute had euill ioined with the voice threw it to the ground with such like words Alas poore Lute how much art thou deceiu'd to think that in my miseries thou couldst ease my woes as in my careles times thou was wont to please my fancies The time is changed my Lute the time is changed and no more did my ioyfull minde then receiue euery thing to a ioyful consideration then my carefull mind now makes ech thing tast like the bitter iuyce of care The evill is inward my Lute the euill is inward which all thou doost doth serue but to make me thinke more freely off And alas what is then thy harmony but the sweete meats of sorrow The discord of my thoughts my Lute doth ill agree to the concord of thy strings therefore be not ashamed to leaue thy master since hee is not afraide to forsake himselfe And thus much spoke in steede of a conclusion was closed vp with so harty a groning that Gynecia could not refraine to shew her selfe thinking such griefes could serue fitly for nothing but her owne fortune But as she came into the little Arbour of this sorrowful musicke her eyes met with the eyes of Zelmane which was the party that thus had indited her selfe of miserie so that either of them remained coÌ„fused with a sodaine astonishment Zelmane fearing least she had heard some part of those complaints which she had risen vp that morning early of purpose to breath out in secret to her selfe But Gynecia a great while stood still with a kind of dull amasement looking stedfastly vpon her at length returning to some vse of her selfe she began to aske Zelmane what cause carried her so early abroad But as if the opening of her mouth to Zelmane had opened some great flood-gate of sorrow whereof her heart could not abide the violeÌ„t issue she sanke to the ground with her haÌ„ds ouer her face crying vehemently Zelmane helpe me O Zelmane haue pittie on me Zelmane ranne to her maruelling what sodaine sicknesse had thus possessed her beginning to aske her the cause of her paine offering her seruice to be imployed by her Gynecia opening her eyes wildly vpon her pricked with the flames of loue the torments of her owne conscience O Zelmane Zelmane said she doost thou offer me phisicke which art my only poyson Or wilt thou doo me seruice which hast alredy brought me into eternall slauerie Zelmane then knowing well at what marke shee shot yet loth to enter into it Most excelleÌ„t Ladie said she you were best retire your selfe into your lodging that you the better â—ay passe this sodaine fitte Retire my selfe said Gynecia If I had retyred my selfe into my selfe when thou to me vnfortunate guest camest to draw me from my selfe blessed had I bene no neede had I had of this counsaile But now alas I am forced to flie to thee for succour whom I accuse of all my hurt make thee iudge of my cause who
art the only author of my mischiefe Zelmane the more astonished the more she vnderstood her Madam said she whereof do you accuse me that I will not cleere my selfe Or wherein may I steed you that you may not command me Alas answered Gynecia what shall I say more Take pitty of me O Zelmane but not as Zelmane and disguise not with me in words as I know thou doost in apparell Zelmane was much troubled with that worde finding her selfe brought to this streight But as she was thinking what to answere her they might see olde Basilius passe harde by them without euer seeing them complayning likewise of loue very freshly and ending his complaint with this song Loue hauing renewed both his inuention and voyce LEt not old age disgrace my high desire O heauenly soule in humaine shape conteind Old wood in flam'de doth yeeld the brauest fire When yonger dooth in smoke his vertue spend Ne let white haires which on my face doo grow Seeme to your eyes of a disgracefull hewe Since whitenesse doth present the sweetest show Which makes all eyes doo homage vnto you Old age is wise and full of constant truth Old age well stayed from raunging humor liues Old age hath knowne what euer was in youth Old age orecome the greater honour giues And to old age since you your selfe aspire Let not old age disgrace my high desire Which being done he looked verie curiously vpon himselfe somtimes fetching a little skippe as if he had saide his strength had not yet forsaken him But Zelmane hauing in this time gotten some leasure to thinke for an answere looking vpon Gynecya as if she thought she did her some wrong Madam said she I am not acquainted with those words of disguising neither is it the profession of an Amazon neither are you a partie with whom it is to bee vsed If my seruice may please you imploy it so long as you do me no wrong in misiudgeing of mee Alas Zelmane said Gynecia I perceiue you know full little howe percing the eyes are of a true louer There is no one beame of those thoughts you haue planted in me but is able to discerne a greater cloude then you doo goe in Seeke not to conceale your selfe further from mee nor force not the passion of loue into violent extremities Nowe was Zelmane brought to an exigent when the king turning his eyes that waye thorow the trees perceiued his wife and mistres togither so that framing the most louely countenance hee could hee came straightway towardes them and at the first word thanking his wife for hauing entertained Zelmane desired her shee woulde now returne into the lodge because hee had certaine matters of estate to impart to the Ladie Zelmane The Queene being nothing troubled with ielousie in that point obeyed the kinges commaundement full of raging agonies and determinately bent that as she would seeke all louing meanes to winne Zelmane so she woulde stirre vp terrible tragedies rather then faile of her intent And so went she from them to the lodge-ward with such a battaile in her thoughts and so deadlyâ— an ouerthrow giuen to her best resolutions that euen her bodie where the fielde was fought was oppressed withall making a languishing sickenesse waite vpon the triumph of passion which the more it preuailed in her the more it made her ielousie watchfull both ouer her daughter and Zelmane hauing euer one of them entrusted to her owne eyes But as soone as Basilius was ridde of his wiues presence falling downe on his knees O Lady saide hee which hast onely had the power to stirre vp againe those flames which had so long layne deade in mee see in mee the power of your beautie which can make olde age come to aske counsaile of youth and a Prince vnconquered to become a slaue to a stranger And when you see that power of yours loue that at lest in me since it is yours although of me you see nothing to be loued Worthy Prince answered Zelmane taking him vp from his kneeling both your manner and your speech are so straunge vnto me as I know not how to answere it better then with silence If silence please you said the king it shall neuer displease me since my heart is wholly pledged to obey you otherwise if you would vouchsafe mine eares such happinesse as to heare you they shall conuay your words to such a mind which is with the humblest degree of reuerence to receiue them I disdaine not to speake to you mightie Prince said Zelmane but I disdaine to speake to any matter which may bring my honor into question And therewith with a braue counterfeited scorne she departed from the king leauing him not so sorie for his short answere as proud in himselfe that he had broken the matter And thus did the king feeding his minde with those thoughts passe great time in writing verses and making more of himselfe then he was wont to doo that with a little helpe he would haue growne into a prettie kind of dotage But Zelmane being ridde of this louing but little-loued company Alas said she poore Pyrocles was there euer one but I that had receiued wrong and could blame no body that hauing more then I desire am still in want of that I woulde Truly Loue I must needes say thus much on thy behalfe thou hast imployed my loue there where all loue is deserued and for recompence hast sent me more loue then euer I desired But what wilt thou doo Pyrocles which way canst thou finde to ridde thee of thy intricate troubles To her whom I would be knowne to I liue in darkenesse and to her am reuealed from whom I would be most secret What shift shall I finde against the diligent loue of Basilius what shield against the violent passions of Gynecia And if that be done yet how am I the neerer to quench the fire that consumes me Well well sweete Philoclea my whole confidence must be builded in thy diuine spirit which cannot be ignorant of the cruell wound I haue receiued by you But as sicke folkes when they are alone thinke companie would relieue them and yet hauing company do find it noysome changing willingly outward obiects when indeed the euill is inward So poore Zelmane was no more weery of Basilius then she was of her selfe when Basilius was gone and euer the more the more she turned her eyes to become her owne iudges Tyred wherewith she longed to meete her friende Dorus that vpon the shoulders of friendship she might lay the burthen of sorrow and therefore went toward the other lodge where among certaine Beeches she found Dorus apparelled in flanen with a Goats skin cast vpon him and a garland of Laurell mixt with Cypres leaues on his head wayting on his master Dametas who at that time was teaching him how with his sheephooke to catch a wanton Lambe and how with the same to cast a litle clod at any one that strayed out of companie And while Dorus was
practising one might see Dametas holding his hand vnder his girdle behind him nodding from the wast vpwards and swearing he neuer knew man go more aukewardly to worke and that they might talke of booke-learning what they would but for his part he neuer saw more vnfeatie fellowes then great clearks were But Zelmanes comming saued Dorus from further chiding And so she beginning to speake with him of the number of his masters sheepe and which Prouince of Arcadia bare the finest wooll drewe him on to follow her in such countrie discourses till being out of Dametas hearing with such vehemencie of passion as though her hart would clime into her mouth to take her tongues office she declared vnto him vpon what briers the roses of her affections grew how time still seemed to forget her bestowing no one houre of comfort vpon her she remaining stil in one plight of ill fortune sauing so much worse as continuance of euill doth in it selfe increase euill Alas my Dorus said she thou seest how long and languishingly the weekes are past ouer vs since our last talking And yet am I the same miserable I that I was onely stronger in longing and weaker in hoping Then fell she to so pitifull a declaration of the insupportablenes of her desires that Dorus eares not able to shew what woundes that discourse gaue vnto them procured his eyes with teares to giue testimonie how much they suffered for her suffering till passion a most cumbersome guest to it selfe made Zelmane the sooner to shake it off earnestly intreate Dorus that he also with like freedome of discourse would bestow a Mappe of his little world vpon her that she might see whether it were troubled with such vnhabitable climes of colde despaires and hot rages as hers was And so walking vnder a few Palme trees which being louing in their own nature seemed to giue their shadow the willinglier because they held discourse of loue Dorus thus entred to the description of his fortune Alas said he deare Cosin that it hath pleased the high powers to throw vs to such an estate as the onely entercourse of our true friendship must be a bartring of miseries For my part I must confesse indeede that from a huge darkenes of sorrowes I am crept I cannot say to a light-somnes but to a certaine dawning or rather peeping out of some possibilitie of comfort But woe is me so farre from the marke of my desires that I rather thinke it such a light as comes through a small hole to a dungeon that the miserable caitife may the better remember the light of which he is depriued or like a scholler who is onely come to that degree of knowledge to finde himselfe vtterly ignorant But thus stands it with me After that by your meanes I was exalted to serue in yonder blessed lodge for a while I had in the furnace of my agonies this refreshing that because of the seruice I had done in killing of the Beare it pleased the Princesse in whome indeede statelines shines through courtesie to let fall some gratious looke vpon me Sometimes to see my exercises sometimes to heare my songs For my part my hart would not suffer me to omit any occasion whereby I might make the incomparable Pamela see how much extraordinarie deuotion I bare to her seruice and withall straue to appeare more worthy in her sight that small desert ioyned to so great affection might preuaile something in the wisest Ladie But too well alas I found that a shepheards seruice was but considered of as from a shepheard and the acceptation limitted to no further proportion then of a good seruant And when my countenance had once giuen notice that there lay affection vnder it I sawe straight Maiesty sitting in the throne of Beautie drawe foorth such a sword of iust disdaine that I remayned as a man thunder-striken not daring no not able to behold that power Now to make my estate knowen seemed againe impossible by reason of the suspitiousnes of Dametas Miso and my young Mistresse Mopsa For Dametas according to the constitution of a dull head thinkes no better way to shew himselfe wise then by suspecting euery thing in his way Which suspition Miso for the hoggish shrewdnesse of her braine and Mopsa for a very vnlikely enuie she hath stumbled vpon against the Princesses vnspeakeable beautie were very glad to execute So that I finding my seruice by this meanes lightlie regarded my affection despised and my selfe vnknowen remayned no fuller of desire then voyd of counsell how to come to my desire Which alas if these trees could speake they might well witnesse For many times haue I stoode here bewailing my selfe vnto them many times haue I leaning to yonder Palme admired the blessednes of it that it could beare Loue without sence of paine Many times when my masters cattle came hether to chewe their cudde in this fresh place I might see the young Bull testifie his loue But how with proud lookes and ioyfulnes O wretched mankind said I then to my selfe in whom wit which should be the gouerner of his welfare becomes the traitor to his blessednes These beasts like children to nature inherit her blessings quietly we like bastards are layd abroad euen as foundlings to be trayned vp by griefe and sorrow Their mindes grudge not at their bodies comfort nor their sences are letted from enioying their obiects we haue the impediments of honor and the torments of conscience Truely in such cogiâ—ations haue I somtimes so long stood that me thought my feet began to grow into the ground with such a darkenes and heauines of minde that I might easilie haue bene perswaded to haue resigned ouer my very essence But Loue which one time layeth burthens another time giueth wings when I was at the lowest of my downward thoughts pulled vp my hart to remember that nothing is atchieued before it be throughlie attempted and that lying still doth neuer goe forward and that therefore it was time now or neuer to sharpen my inuention to pearce thorow the hardnes of this enterprise neuer ceasing to assemble all my conceites one after the other how to manifest both my mind and estate Till at last I lighted and resolued on this way which yet perchaunce you will thinke was a way rather to hide it I began to counterfeite the extremest loue towards Mopsa that might be and as for the loue so liuely it was indeed within me although to another subiect that litle I needed to counterfait any notable demonstrations of it and so making a contrariety the place of my memory in her fowlnes I beheld Pamelas fayrenesse still looking on Mopsa but thinking on Pamela as if I sawe my Sunne shine in a puddled water I cryed out of nothing but Mopsa to Mopsa my attendance was directed to Mopsa the best fruites I could gather were brought to Mopsa it seemed still that mine eye conueyed my tongue So that Mopsa was my saying Mopsa was my singing
other turning my selfe to Mopsa but keeping mine eye where it was faire Mopsa said I well doo I finde by the wise knitting together of your answere that any disputation I can vse is asmuch too weake as I vnworthy I find my loue shal be proued no loue without I leue to loue being too vnfit a vessell in whom so high thoughts should be engraued Yet since the Loue I beare you hath so ioyned it selfe to the best part of my life as the one can not depart but that th' other will follow before I seeke to obey you in making my last passage let me know which is my vnworthines either of mind estate or both Mopsa was about to say in neither for her hart I thinke tumbled with ouermuch kindnesse when Pamela with a more fauourable countenance then before finding how apt I was to fall into despaire told me I might therein haue answered my selfe for besides that it was graunted me that the inward feeling of Mopsaes perfections had greatly beautified my minde there was none could denie but that my minde and bodie deserued great allowance But Dorus sayd she you must be so farre maister of your loue as to consider that since the iudgement of the world stands vpon matter of fortune and that the sexe of womankind of all other is most bound to haue regardfull eie to mens iudgements it is not for vs to play the philosophers in seeking out your hidden vertues since that which in a wise prince would be counted wisdome in vs will be taken for a light-grounded affection so is not one thing one done by diuers persons There is no man in a burning feuer feeles so great contentment in cold water greedily receiued which assoone as the drinke ceaseth the rage reneweth as poore I found my soule refreshed with her sweetly pronounced words and newly and more violently againe enflamed assoone as she had closed vp her delightfull speech with no lesse well graced silence But remembring in my selfe that aswell the Souldier dieth which standeth still as he that giues the brauest onset and seeing that to the making vp of my fortune there wanted nothing so much as the making knowne of mine estate with a face well witnessing how deeply my soule was possessed and with the most submissiue behauior that a thralled hart could expresse euen as my words had bene too thicke for my mouth at length spake to this purpose Alas most worthy Princesse said I and do not then your owne sweet words sufficiently testifie that there was neuer man could haue a iuster action against filthy fortune then I since all other things being granted me her blindnesse is my onely let O heauenly God I would either she had such eyes as were able to discerne my deserts or I were blind not to see the daily cause of my misfortune But yet said I most honoured Lady if my miserable speeches haue not already cloied you and that the verie presence of such a wretch become not hatefull in your eyes let me reply thus much further against my mortall sentence by telling you a storie which happened in this same country long since for woes make the shortest time seeme long whereby you shall see that my estate is not so contemptible but that a Prince hath bene content to take the like vpon him and by that onely hath aspired to enioy a mightie Princesse Pamela gratiously harkened and I told my tale in this sort In the countrie of Thessalia alas why name I that accursed country which brings forth nothing but matters for tragedies but name it I must in Thessalia I say there was well may I say there was a Prince no no Prince whome bondage wholly possessed but yet accounted a Prince and named Musidorus O Musidorus Musidorus but to what serue exclamations where there are no eares to receiue the sound This Musidorus being yet in the tendrest age his worthy father paied to nature with a violent death her last duties leauing his childe to the faith of his friends and the proofe of time death gaue him not such pangs as the foresight-full care he had of his silly successour And yet if in his foresight he could haue seene so much happie was that good Prince in his timely departure which barred him from the knowledge of his sonnes miseries which his knowledge could neither haue preuented nor relieued The young Musidorus being thus as for the first pledge of the destenies good will depriued of his principall stay was yet for some yeares after as if the starres would breath themselues for a greater mischiefe lulled vp in as much good luck as the heedfull loue of his dolefull mother and the fâ—orishing estate of his country could breed vnto him But when the time now came that miserie seemed to be ripe for him because he had age to knowe misery I thinke there was a conspiracy in all heauenly and earthly things to frame fit occasions to leade him vnto it His people to whom all matters in foretime were odious beganne to wish in their beloued Prince experience by trauaile his deare mother whose eyes were held open onely with the ioy of looking vpon him did now dispense with the comfort of her widowhead life desiring the same her subiectes did for the increase of her sonnes worthinesse And hereto did Musidorus owne vertue see how vertue can bee a minister to mischiefe sufficiently prouoke him for indeed thus much I must say for him although the likenesse of our mishaps makes me presume to patterne my selfe vnto him that well-doing was at that time his scope from which no faint pleasure could with-hold him But the present occasion which did knit al this together was his vncle the king of Macedon who hauing lately before gotten such victories as were beyond expectation did at this time send both for the Prince his sonne brought vp together to auoid the warres with Musidorus and for Musidorus himselfe that his ioy might be the more full hauing such partakers of it But alas to what a sea of miseries my plaintfull toong doth lead me thus out of breath rather with that I thought then that I said I stayed my speech til Pamela shewing by countenaÌ„ce that such was her pleasure I thus continued it These two young Princes to satisfie the king tooke their way by sea towards Thrace whether they would needs go with a Nauie to succour him he being at that time before Bizantium with a mighty Army beseeging it wher at that time his court was But wheÌ„ the coÌ„spired heauens had gotten this Subiect of their wrath vpoÌ„ so fit a place as the sea was they streight began to breath out in boystrous winds some part of their malice against him so that with the losse of al his Nauie he only with the Prince his cosin were cast a land farre off from the place whether their desires would haue guided them O cruell winds in your vnconsiderate rages why either began you this furie or
so full possession of the keies of her mind that it would receaue no message from her senses without that affection were the interpreter then streight grew an exceeding delight still to be with her with an vnmeasurable liking of all that Zelmane did matters being so turned in her that where at first liking her manners did breed good-will now good-will became the chiefe cause of liking her manners so that within a while Zelmane was not prized for her demeanure but the demeanure was prized because it was Zelmanes Then followed that most naturall effect of conforming ones selfe to that which she did like and not onely wishing to be her selfe such an other in all things but to ground an imitation vpon so much an esteemed authoritie so that the next degree was to marke all Zelmanes dooings speeches and fashions and to take them into her selfe as a patterne of worthie proceeding Which when once it was enacted not onely by the comminaltie of Passions but agreed vnto by her most noble Thoughts and that by Reason it selfe not yet experienced in the issues of such matters had granted his royall assent then Friendship a diligent officer tooke care to see the statute thorowly obserued Then grew on that not onely she did imitate the sobernes of her countenance the gracefulnesse of her speech but euen their particular gestures so that as Zelmane did often eye her she would often eye Zelmane and as Zelmanes eyes would deliuer a submissiue but vehement desire in their looke she though as yet she had not the desire in her yet should her eyes answere in like pearcing kindnesse of a looke Zelmane as much as Gynecias iealousie would suffer desired to be neere Philoclea Philoclea as much as Gynecias iealousie would suffer desired to be neere Zelmane If Zelmane tooke her hand and softly strained it she also thinking the knots of friendship ought to be mutuall would with a sweete fastnes shew she was loth to part from it And if Zelmane sighed she would sigh also when Zelmane was sad she deemed it wisdome and therefore she would be sad too Zelmanes languishing countenance with crost armes and sometimes cast-vp eyes she thought to haue an excellent grace and therefore she also willingly put on the same countenance till at the last poore soule ere she were aware she accepted not onely the badge but the seruice not only the signe but the passion signified For whether it were that her wit in continuance did finde that Zelmanes friendship was full of impatient desire hauing more then ordinarie limits and therfore she was content to second Zelmane though her selfe knew not the limits or that in truth true-true-loue well considered haue an infectiue power At last she fell in acquaintance with loues harbinger wishing First she would wish that they two might liue all their liues together like two of Dianas Nimphes But that wish she thought not sufficient because she knew there would be more Nimphes besides them who also would haue their part in Zelmane Then would she wish that she were her sister that such a naturall band might make her more speciall to her But against that she considered that though being her sister if she happened to be married she should be robbed of her Then growne bolder she would wish either her selfe or Zelmane a man that there might succeed a blessed marriage betwixt them But when that wish had once displaied his ensigne in her minde then followed whole squadrons of longings that so it might be with a maine battaile of mislikings and repynings against their creation that so it was not Then dreames by night began to bring more vnto her then she durst wish by day where-out making did make her know her selfe the better by the image of those fancies But as some diseases when they are easie to be cured they are hard to be knowne but when they grow easie to be knowne they are almost impossible to be cured so the sweete Philoclea while she might preuent it she did not feele it now she felt it when it was past preuenting like a riuer no rampiers being built against it till alreadie it haue ouerflowed For now indeed Loue puld off his maske and shewed his face vnto her and told her plainly that shee was his prisoner Then needed she no more paint her face with passions for passions shone thorow her face Then her rosie coulor was often encreased with extraordinarie blushing and so another time perfect whitnesse descended to a degree of palenesse now hot then cold desiring she knewe not what nor how if she knew what Then her minde though too late by the smart was brought to thinke of the disease and her owne proofe taught her to know her mothers minde which as no error giues so strong assault as that which comes armed in the authoritie of a parent so greatly fortified her desires to see that her mother had the like desires And the more iealous her mother was the more she thought the Iewell precious which was with so many lookes garded But that preuailing so farre as to keepe the two louers from priuate conference then began she to feele the sweetnesse of a louers solitarinesse when freely with words and gestures as if Zelmane were present shee might giue passage to her thoughts and so as it were vtter out some smoke of those flames wherewith else she was not only burned but smothered As this night that going from the one lodge to the other by her mothers commandement with dolefull gestures and vncertaine paces shee did willingly accept the times offer to be a while alone so that going a little aside into the wood where manie times before she had delighted to walke her eyes were saluted with a tuft of trees so close set together as with the shade the moone gaue thorow it it might breede a fearefull kinde of deuotion to looke vpon it But true thoughts of loue banished all vaine fancie of superstition Full well she did both remember and like the place for there had she often with their shade beguiled Phoebus of looking vpon her There had she enioyed her selfe often while she was mistresse of her selfe and had no other thoughts but such as might arise out of quiet senses But the principall cause that inuited her remembrance was a goodly white marble stone that should seeme had bene dedicated in ancient time to the Siluan gods which she finding there a fewe dayes before Zelmanes comming had written these words vpon it as a testimonie of her mind against the suspition her captiuitie made her thinke she liued in The writing was this YOu liuing powres enclosed in stately shrine Of growing trees you rurall Gods that wield Your scepters here if to your eares diuine A voice may come which troubled soule doth yeld This vowe receaue this vowe ô Gods maintaine My virgin life no spotted thought shall staine Thou purest stone whose purenesse doth present My purest minde whose temper hard doth showe My tempred
ouer the back of it and looking vpon a wax-candle which burnt before her in one hand holding a letter in the other her hand-kerchiefe which had lately dronke vp the teares of her eyes leauing in steed of them crimsen circles like redde flakes in the element when the weather is hottest Which Philoclea finding for her eyes had learned to know the badges of sorow she earnestlie intreated to know the cause thereof that either she might comfort or accompanie her dolefull humor But Pamela rather seeming sorie that she had perceiued so much then willing to open any further O my Pamela said Philoclea who are to me a sister in nature a mother in counsell a Princesse by the law of our countrey and which name me thinke of all other is the dearest a friend by my choice and your fauour what meanes this banishing me from your counsels Do you loue your sorrowe so well as to grudge me part of it Or doo you thinke I shall not loue a sad Pamela so well as a ioyfull Or be my eares vnworthie or my tongue suspected What is it my sister that you should conceale from your sister yea and seruant Philoclea These words wanne no further of Pamela but that telling her they might talke better as they lay together they impouerished their cloathes to inrich their bed which for that night might well scorne the shrine of Venus and there cherishing one another with deare though chaste embracements with sweet though cold kisses it might seeme that Loue was come to play him there without darte or that weerie of his owne fires he was there to refresh himselfe betweene their sweete-breathing lippes But Philoclea earnestly againe intreated Pamela to open her griefe who drawing the curtaine that the candle might not complaine of her blushing was ready to speake but the breath almost formed into words was againe stopt by her and turned into sighes But at last I pray you said she sweete Philoclea let vs talke of some other thing and tell me whether you did euer see any thing so amended as our Pastorall sports be since that Dorus came hether O Loue how farre thou seest with blind eyes Philoclea had straight found her and therefore to draw out more In deed said she I haue often wondred to my selfe how such excellencies could be in so meane a person but belike Fortune was afraide to lay her treasures where they should be staind with so many perfections onely I maruaile how he can frame himselfe to hide so rare giftes vnder such a block as Dametas Ah said Pamela if you knew the cause but no more doo I neither and to say the trueth but Lord how are we falne to talke of this fellow and yet indeed if you were sometimes with me to marke him while Dametas reades his rusticke lecture vnto him how to feede his beastes before noone where to shade them in the extreame heate how to make the manger hansome for his oxen when to vse the goade and when the voice giuing him rules of a heardman though he pretend to make him a shepheard to see all the while with what a grace which seemes to set a crowne vpon his base estate he can descend to those poore matters certainly you would but to what serues this no doubt we were better sleepe then talke of these idle matters Ah my Pamela said Philoclea I haue caught you the constancy of your wit was not wont to bring forth such disiointed speeches you loue dissemble no further It is true said Pamela now you haue it and with lesse adoo should if my hart could haue thought those words suteable for my mouth But indeed my Philoclea take heed for I thinke Vertue it selfe is no armour of proofe against affection Therefore learne by my example Alas thought Philoclea to her selfe your sheares come too late to clip the birds wings that already is flowne away But then Pamela being once set in the streame of her loue went away amaine withall telling her how his noble qualities had drawne her liking towardes him but yet euer waying his meanenes and so held continually in due limits till seeking many meanes to speake with her and euer kept from it as well because she shund it seing and disdaining his mind as because of her iealous iaylours he had at length vsed the finest pollicie that might be in counterfaiting loue to Mopsa and saying to Mopsa what soeuer he would haue her know and in how passionate manner he had told his owne tale in a third person making poore Mopsa beleeue that it was a matter fallen out many ages before And in the end because you shall know my teares come not neither of repentance nor misery who thinke you is my Dorus fallen out to be euen the Prince Musidorus famous ouer all Asia for his heroicall enterprises of whom you remember how much good the straunger Plangus told my father he not being drowned as Plangus thought though his cousin Pyrocles indeed perished Ah my sister if you had heard his words or seene his gestures when he made me know what and to whom his loue was you would haue matched in your selfe those two rarely matched together pittie and delight Tell me dear sister for the Gods are my witnesses I desire to do vertuously can I without the detestable staine of vngratefulnesse abstaine from louing him who far exceeding the beautifulnesse of his shape with the beautifulnesse of his minde and the greatnesse of his estate with the greatnesse of his actes is content so to abase him selfe as to become Dametas seruaunt for my sake you will say but how know I him to be Musidorus since the handmaid of wisdome is slow beliefe That consideration did not want in me for the nature of desire it selfe is no easier to receiue beliefe then it is hard to ground beliefe For as desire is glad to embrace the first shew of comfort so is desire desirous of perfect assurance and that haue I had of him not onely by necessary arguments to any of common sense but by sufficient demonstrations Lastly he would haue me send to Thessalia but truly I am not as now in mind to do my honorable Loue so much wrong as so far to suspect him yet poore soule knowes he no other but that I doo both suspect neglect yea and detest him For euery day he finds one way or other to set forth himselfe vnto me but all are rewarded with like coldnesse of acceptation A few daies since he and Dametas had furnished themselues very richly to run at the ring before me O how mad a sight it was to see Dametas like rich Tissew furd with lambe-skins But ô how well it did with Dorus to see with what a grace hee presented himselfe before me on horseback making maiestie wait vpon humblenes how at the first standing still with his eies bent vpon me as though his motions were chained to my looke he so staid till I caused Mopsa bid him do something
but her own good behauiour hauing followed and seene Zelmane fighting had cried what she had seene while they were drying themselues and the water with some drops seemed to weepe that it should part from such bodies But they carefull of Zelmane assuring themselues that any Arcadian would beare reuerence to them Pamela with a noble mind and Philoclea with a louing hastily hiding the beauties whereof Nature was prowde and they ashamed they made quicke worke to come to saue Zelmane But already they found them in talke and Zelmane carefull of his wound But whē they saw him they knew it was their cousin germain the famous Amphialus whom yet with a sweete-graced bitternes they blamed for breaking their fathers commaundement especially while themselues were in such sort retired But he craued pardon protesting vnto them that he had onely bene to seeke solitary places by an extreme melancholy that had a good while possest him and guided to that place by his spaniell where while the dog hunted in the riuer he had withdrawne himselfe to pacifie with sleepe his ouerwatched eyes till a dreame waked him and made him see that whereof he had dreamed and withall not obscurely signified that he felt the smart of his owne doings But Philoclea that was euen iealous of her selfe for Zelmane would needs haue her gloue and not without so mighty a loure as that face could yeeld As for Zelmane when she knew it was Amphialus Lord Amphialus said she I haue long desired to know you heretofore I must confesse with more good will but still with honoring your vertue though I loue not your person and at this time I pray you let vs take care of your wound vpon condition you shall hereafter promise that a more knightly combat shal be performed betweene vs. Amphialus answered in honorable sort but with such excusing himselfe that more and more accused his loue to Philoclea and prouoked more hate in Zelmane But Mopsa had already called certaine shepheards not far off who knew and wel obserued their limits to come and helpe to carrie away Amphialus whose wound suffered him not without daunger to straine it and so he leauing himselfe with them departed from them faster bleeding in his hart then at his wound which bound vp by the sheetes wherewith Philoclea had bene wrapped made him thanke the wound and blesse the sword for that fauour He being gone the Ladies with mery anger talking in what naked simplicitie their cousin had seene them returned to the lodge-warde yet thinking it too early as long as they had any day to breake off so pleasing a company with going to performe a cumbersome obedience Zelmane inuited them to the little arbour only reserued for her which they willingly did and there sitting Pamela hauing a while made the lute in his language shew how glad it was to be touched by her fingers Zelmane deliuered vp the paper which Amphialus had at first yeelded vnto her and seeing written vpon the backside of it the complaint of Plangus remembring what Dorus had told her and desiring to know how much Philoclea knew of her estate she tooke occasion in the presenting of it to aske whether it were any secret or no. No truely answered Philoclea it is but euen an exercise of my fathers writing vpon this occasion He was one day somwhile before your comming hether walking abroade hauing vs two with him almost a mile hence and crossing a hie way which comes from the cittie of Megalopolis he saw this Gentleman whose name is there written one of the proprest and best-graced men that euer I sawe being of middle age and of a meane stature Hee lay as then vnder a tree while his seruaunts were getting fresh post-horses for him It might seeme he was tired with the extreme trauaile he had taken and yet not so tyred that hee forced to take any rest so hasty hee was vpon his iourney and withall so sorrowfull that the very face thereof was painted in his face which with pitifull motions euen groanes teares and possionate talking to him self moued my Father to fal in talke with him who at first not knowing him answered him in such a desperate phrase of griefe that my Father afterward tooke a delight to set it downe in such forme as you see which if you read what you doubt of my sister and I are hable to declare vnto you Zelmane willingly opened the leaues and read it being written Dialogue-wise in this manner Plangus Basilius Plangus ALas how long this pilgrimage doth last What greater ills haue now the heauens in store To couple comming harmes with sorrowes past Long since my voice is hoarce and throte is sore With cries to skies and curses to the ground But more I plaine I feele my woes the more Ah where was first that cruell cunning found To frame of Earth a vessell of the minde Where it should be to selfe-destruction bound What needed so high sprites such mansions blind Or wrapt in flesh what do they here obtaine But glorious name of wretched humaine-kind Balles to the starres and thralles to Fortunes raigne Turnd from themselues infected with their cage Where death is feard and life is held with paine Like players pla'st to fill a filthy stage Where chaunge of thoughts one foole to other shewes And all but iests saue onely sorrowes rage The child feeles that the man that feeling knowes With cries first borne the presage of his life Where wit but serues to haue true tast of woes A Shop of shame a Booke where blots be rife This bodie is this bodie so composed As in it selfe to nourish mortall strife So diuers be the Elements disposed In this weake worke that it can neuer be Made vniforme to any state reposed Griefe onely makes his wretched state to see Euen like a toppe which nought but whipping moues This man this talking beast this walking tree Griefe is the stone which finest iudgement proues For who grieues not hath but a blockish braine Since cause of griefe no cause from life remoues Basilius How long wilt thou with monefull musicke staine The cheerefull notes these pleasant places yeeld Where all good haps a perfect state maintaine Plangus Curst be good haps and curst be they that build Their hopes on haps and do not make despaire For all these certaine blowes the surest shield Shall I that saw Eronaes shining haire Torne with her hands and those same hands of snow With losse of purest blood themselues to teare Shall I that saw those brests where beauties flow Swelling with sighes made pale with mindes disease And saw those eyes those Sonnes such shoures to shew Shall I whose eares her mournefull words did seaze Her words in syrup laid of sweetest breath Relent those thoughts which then did so displease No no Despaire my dayly lesson saith And saith although I seeke my life to flie Plangus must liue to see Eronaes death Plangus must liue some helpe for her to trie Though in despaire
sisters help said she who remembers it better then I I will declare vnto you and first of Erona being the chiefe Subiect of this discourse this storie with more teares and exclamations then I liste to spende about it hee recounted Of late there raigned a King in Lydia who had for the blessing of his mariage this onely daughter of his Erona a Princesse worthie for her beautie as much praise as beautie may be prayse-worthy This princesse Erona being 19. yeeres of age seeing the countrie of Lydia so much deuoted to Cupid as that in euery place his naked pictures and images were superstitiously adored ether moued thereunto by the esteeming that could be no Godhead which coulde breed wickednes or the shamefast consideration of such nakednes procured so much of her father as vtterly to pull downe and deface al those statues pictures Which how terribly he punished for to that the Lydians impute it quickly after appeared For she had not liued a yeare longer whē she was striken with most obstinate Loue to a young man but of meane parentage in her fathers court named Antiphilus so meane as that hee was but the sonne of her Nurse and by that meanes without other desert became knowen of her Now so euill could she conceale her fire and so wilfully perseuered she in it that her father offering her the mariage of the great Tiridates king of Armenia who desired her more then the ioyes of heauen shee for Antiphilus sake refused it Many wayes her father sought to with drawe her from it sometimes perswasions sometimes threatnings once hiding Antiphilus and giuing her to vnderstand that he was fled the countrie Lastly making a solemne execution to be done of another vnder the name of Antiphilus whom he kept in prison But nether she liked perswasions nor feared threateninges nor changed for absence and when she thought him dead she sought all meanes as well by poyson as knife to send her soule at least to be maried in the eternall church with him This so brake the tender fathers hart that leauing things as he found them hee shortly after died Then foorth with Erona being seazed of the crowne and arming her will with authoritie sought to aduance her affection to the holy title of matrimonie But before she could accomplish all the solemnities she was ouertaken with a war the King Tiridates made vpon her only for her person towards whom for her ruine Loue had kindled his cruel hart indeed cruell and tyrannous for being far too strong in the field he spared not man woman and child but as though there could be found no foile to set foorth the extremitie of his loue but extremity of hatred wrote as it were the sonets of his Loue in the bloud and tuned them in the cries of her subiects although his faire sister Artaxia who would accompany him in the army sought all meanes to appease his fury till lastly he besieged Erona in her best citie vowing to winne her or lose his life And now had he brought her to the point ether of a wofull consent or a ruinous deniall when there came thether following the course which Vertue and Fortune led them two excellent young Princes Pyrocles Musidorus the one Prince of Macedon the other of Thessalia two princes as Plangus said and he witnessed his saying with sighes and teares the most accomplished both in body minde that the Sun euer lookt vpon While Philoclea spake those words O sweete wordes thought Zelmane to herselfe which are not onely a praise to mee but a praise to praise it selfe which out of that mouth issueth These 2. princes said Philoclea aswell to help the weaker especially being a Ladie as ta saue a Greeke people from being ruined by such whom we call and count Barbarous gathering to gether such of the honestest Lycians as would venture their liues to succour their Princesse giuing order by a secret message they sent into the Citie that they should issue with al force at an appointed time they set vpon Tiridates campe with so well-guided a fiercenes that being of both sides assaulted he was like to be ouerthrowen but that this Plangus being Generall of Tiridates hors-men especially ayded by the two mightie men Euardes and Barzanes rescued the footmē euen almost defeated but yet could not barre the Princes with their succoures both of men and victuall to enter the Citie Which when Tiridates found would make the war long which length seemed to him worse then a languishing consumption he made a challenge of three Princes in his retinue against those two Princes and Antiphilus and that thereupon the quarrell should be decided with compact that neither side should helpe his fellow but of whose side the more ouercame with him the victorie should remaine Antiphilus though Erona chose rather to bide the brunt of warre then venture him yet could not for shame refuse the offer especially since the two strangers that had no interest in it did willingly accept it besides that he sawe it like enough that the people werie of the miseries of war would rather giue him vp if they saw him shrinke then for his sake venture their ruine considering that the challengers were farre of greater worthinesse then himselfe So it was agreed vpon and against Pyrocles was Euardes King of Bithinia Barzanes of Hircania against Musidorus two men that thought the world scarse able to resist them and against Antiphilus he placed this same Plangus being his owne cousin germain and sonne to the King of Iberia Now so it fell out that Musidorus slewe Barzanes and Pyrocles Euardes which victory those Princes esteemed aboue all that euer they had but of the other side Plangus tooke Antiphilus prisoner vnder which colour as if the matter had bene equall though indeed it was not the greater part being ouercome of his side Tiridates continued his war and to bring Erona to a compelled yeelding sent her word that he would the third morrow after before the walles of the towne strike off Antiphilus head without his suite in that space were graunted adding withall because he had heard of her desperate affection that if in the meane time she did her selfe any hurt what tortures could be deuised should be layed vpon Antiphilus Then lo if Cupid be a God or that the tyranny of our owne thoughts seeme as a God vnto vs. But whatsoeuer it was then it did set foorth the miserablenes of his effectes she being drawne to two cōtraries by one cause For the loue of him commaunded her to yeeld to no other the loue of him commaunded her to preserue his life which knot might well be cut but vntied it could not be So that Loue in her passions like a right makebate whispered to both sides arguments of quarrell What said he of the one side doost thou loue Antiphilus ô Erona and shall Tiridates enioy thy bodie with what eyes wilt thou looke vpon Antiphilus when he shall know that an other
hee receiued countenance leauing no meanes vnattempted of destroying his son among other employing that wicked seruant of his who vndertooke to empoyson him But his cunning disguised him not so well but that the watchful seruants of Plangus did discouer him Whereupon the wretch was taken before his well deserued execution by torture forced to confesse the particularities of this which in generall I haue told you Which confession autentically set downe though Tiridates with solemne Embassage sent it to the King wrought no effect For the King hauing put the reines of the gouernment into his wiues hande neuer did so much as reade it but sent it streight by her to be considered So as they rather heaped more hatred vpon Plangus for the death of their seruaunt And now finding that his absence and their reports had much diminished the wauering peoples affection towardes Plangus with aduauncing fit persons for faction and graunting great immunities to the commons they preuailed so farre as to cause the sonne of the second wife called Palladius to be proclaymed successour and Plangus quite excluded so that Plangus was driuen to continue his seruing Tiridates as hee did in the warre against Erona and brought home Artaxia as my sister tolde you when Erona by the treason of Antiphilus But at that word she stopped For Basilius not able longer to abide their absence came sodainly among them and with smiling countenance telling Zelmane hee was affraid shee had stollen away his daughters inuited them to follow the Sunnes counsell in going then to their lodging for indeed the Sun was readie to set They yeelded Zelmane meaning some other time to vnderstand the storie of Antiphilus treason and Eronas daunger whose cause she greatly tendred But Miso had no sooner espied Basilius but that as spitefully as her rotten voice could vtter it she set foorth the sawcinesse of Amphialus But Basilius onely attended what Zelmanes opinion was who though she hated Amphialus yet the nobilitie of her courage preuailed ouer it and shee desired he might be pardoned that youthfull error considering the reputation he had to be one of the best knights in the world so as hereafter he gouerned himselfe as one remembring his fault Basilius giuing the infinite tearmes of praises to Zelmanes both valour in conquering and pittifulnesse in pardoning commanded no more wordes to be made of it since such he thought was her pleasure So brought he them vp to visite his wife where betweene her and him the poore Zelmane receaued a tedious entertainement oppressed with being loued almost as much as with louing Basilius not so wise in couering his passion coulde make his tong go almost no other pace but to runne into those immoderate praises which the foolish Louer thinkes short of his Mistres though they reach farre beyond the heauens But Gynecia whome womanly modestie did more outwardly bridle yet did oftentimes vse the aduantage of her sexe in kissing Zelmane as shee sate vpon her bedde-side by her which was but still more and more sweete incense to cast vpon the fire wherein her harte was sacrificed Once Zelmane coulde not stirre but that as if they had bene poppets whose motion stoode onely vpon her pleasure Basilius with seruiceable steppes Gynecia with greedie eyes would follow her Basilius mind Gynecia well knew and could haue found in her hart to laugh at if mirth could haue borne any proportion with her fortune But all Gynecias actions were interpreted by Basilius as proceeding from iealousie of his amorousnesse Zelmane betwixt both like the poore childe whose father while he beates him will make him beleeue it is for loue or like the sicke man to whom the Phisition sweares the ill-tasting wallowish medicine he profers is of a good taste their loue was hatefull their courtesie troublesome their presence cause of her absence thence were not only her light but her life consisted Alas thought she to her selfe Deare Dorus what ods is there betweene thy destiny and mine For thou hast to doo in thy pursuite but with shepherdish folkes who trouble thee with a little enuious care and affected diligence But I besides that I haue now Miso the worst of thy diuels let loose vpon me am waited on by Princes and watched by the two wakefull eyes of Loue and Iealousie Alas incomparable Philoclea thou euer seest me but dost neuer see me as I am thou hearest willingly all that I dare say and I dare not say that which were most fit for thee to heare Alas who euer but I was imprisoned in libertie and banished being still present To whom but me haue louers bene iaylours honour a captiuitie But the night comming on with her silent steps vpon them they parted each frō other if at lest they could bee parted of whom euery one did liue in another and went about to flatter sleepe with their beds that disdained to bestow it selfe liberally vpon such eies which by their will would euer be looking and in lest measure vpon Gynecia who when Basilius after long tossing was gotten a sleepe and the cheereful cōfort of the lights remoued her kneeling vp in her bed began with a soft voice and swolne hart to renue the curses of her birth then in a maner embracing her bed Ah chastest bed of mine said she which neuer heretofore couldst accuse me of one defiled thought how canst thou now receaue this desastred chāgling Happie happie be they onely which bee not and thy blessednes onely in this respect thou maiest feele that thou hast no feeling With that she furiously tare off great part of her faire haire Take here ô forgotten vertue saide shee this miserable sacrifice while my soule was clothed with modestie that was a comely ornament now why should nature crowne that head which is so wicked as her onely despaire is she cannot be enough wicked More she would haue said but that Basilius awaked with the noise tooke her in his armes and began to comfort her the good-man thinking it was all for a iealous loue of him which humor if she would a little haue maintained perchance it might haue weakned his new conceaued fancies But hee finding her answers wandring from the purpose left her to herselfe glad the next morning to take the aduantage of a sleepe which a little before day ouer-watched with sorrow her teares had as it were sealed vp in her eyes to haue the more conference with Zelmane who baited on this fashion by these two louers and euer kept for many meane to declare herselfe found in her selfe a dayly encrease of her violent desires like a riuer the more swelling the more his current is stopped The chiefe recreation she could finde in her anguish was sometime to visite that place where first she was so happy as to see the cause of her vnhap There would she kisse the ground and thanke the trees blisse the aier doo dutifull reuerence to euery thing that she thought did accompany her at their first
will not be without pittie If otherwise you be alas but let it neuer be so resolued yet shall not my death be comfortles receiuing it by your sentence The ioy which wrought into Pygmalions minde while he found his beloued image was softer and warmer in his folded armes till at length it accomplished his gladnes with a perfect womans shape still beautified with the former perfections was euen such as by each degree of Zelmanes words creepingly entred into Philoclea till her pleasure was fully made vp with the manifesting of his being which was such as in hope did ouer-come Hope Yet Doubt would faine haue playd his parte in her minde and cald in question how she should be assured that Zelmane was Pyrocles But Loue streight stood vp and deposed that a lie could not come from the mouth of Zelmane ◠Besides a certaine sparke of honour which rose in her well-disposed minde made her feare to be alone with him with whome alone she desired to be with all the other contradictions growing in those minds which neither absolutely clime the rocke of Vertue nor freely sinke into the sea of Vanitie but that sparke soone gaue place or at lest gaue no more light in her minde then a candle doth in the Sunnes presence But euen sicke with a surfet of ioy and fearefull of she knewe not what as he that newly findes huge treasures doubts whether he sleepe or no or like a fearefull Deere which then lookes most about when he comes to the best feede with a shrugging kinde of tremor through all her principall partes she gaue these affectionate words for answere Alas how painefull a thing it is to a deuided minde to make a well-ioyned answere how hard it is to bring inward shame to outward confession and what handsomnes trow you can be obserued in that speeche which is made one knowes not to whom Shall I say ô Zelmane Alas your words be against it Shall I say Prince Pyrocles wretch that I am your shew is manifest against it But this this I may well say If I had continued as I ought Philoclea you had either neuer bene or euer bene Zelmane you had either neuer attempted this change set on with hope or neuer discouered it stopt with despaire But I feare me my behauiour ill gouerned gaue you the first comfort I feare me my affection ill hid hath giuen you this last assurance I feare indeed the weakenesse of my gouernment before made you thinke such a maske would be gratefull vnto me and my weaker gouernment since makes you to pull off the visar What shall I doo then shall I seeke far-fetched inuentions shall I labour to lay marble coulours ouer my ruinous thoughts or rather though the purenes of my virgin-minde be stained let me keepe the true simplicitie of my word True it is alas too true it is ô Zelmane for so I loue to call thee since in that name my loue first began and in the shade of that name my loue shall best lie hidden that euen while so thou wert what eye bewitched me I know not my passions were fitter to desire then to be desired Shall I say then I am sory or that my loue must be turned to hate since thou art turned to Pyrocles how may that wel be since when thou wert Zelmane the despaire thou mightest not be thus did most torment me Thou hast then the victorie vse it with vertue Thy vertue wan me with vertue preserue me Doost thou loue me keepe me then still worthy to be beloued Then held she her tongue and cast downe a self-accusing looke finding that in her selfe she had as it were shot out of the bow of her affection a more quick opening of her minde then she minded to haue done But Pyrocles so caried vp with ioy that he did not enuy the Gods felicitie presented her with some iewels of right princely value as some little tokens of his loue and qualitie and withall shewed her letters from his father King Euarchus vnto him which euen in the Sea had amongst his iewels bene preserued But little needed those proofes to one who would haue fallen out with herselfe rather then make any contrarie coniectures to Zelmane speeches so that with such imbracements as it seemed their soules desired to meete and their harts to kisse as their mouthes did which faine Pyrocles would haue sealed with the chiefe armes of his desire but Philoclea commaunded the contrary and yet they passed the promise of mariage And then at Philocleas entreaty who was willing to purloine all occasions of remayning with Zelmane she told her the storie of her life from the time of their departing from Erona for the rest she had already vnderstood of her sister For saide she I haue vnderstood how you first in the companie of your Noble cousin Musidorus parted from Thessalia and of diuers aduentures which with no more daunger then glory you passed through till your comming to the succour of the Queene Erona and the ende of that warre you might perceiue by my selfe I had vnderstood of the Prince Plangus But what since was the course of your doings vntill you came after so many victories to make a conquest of poore me that I know not the fame thereof hauing rather shewed it by pieces then deliuered any full forme of it Therefore deere Pyrocles for what can mine eares be so sweetly fed with as to heare you of you be liberall vnto me of those things which haue made you indeede pretious to the worlde and now doubt not to tell of your perils for since I haue you here out of them euen the remembrance of them is pleasaunt Pyrocles easily perceiued she was content with kindnesse to put off occasion of further kindnesse wherein Loue shewed himselfe a cowardly boy that durst not attempt for feare of offending But rather Loue prooued himselfe valiant that durst with the sworde of reuerent dutie gaine-stand the force of so many enraged desires But so it was that though he knewe this discourse was to entertaine him from a more streight parley yet he durst not but kisse his rod and gladly make much of that entertainement which she allotted vnto him and therefore with a desirous sigh chastning his brest for too much desiring Sweete Princesse of my life said he what Trophees what Triumph what Monuments what Histories might euer make my fame yeeld so sweete a Musicke to my eares as that it pleaseth you to lend your minde to the knowledge of any thing touching Pyrocles onely therefore of value because he is your Pyrocles And therefore grow I now so proud as to thinke it worth the hearing since you vouchsafe to giue it the hearing Therefore onely height of my hope vouchsafe to know that after the death of Tiridates and setling Erona in her gouernment for setled we left her howsoeuer since as I perceiued by your speech the last day the vngratefull treason of her ill-chosen husband ouerthrew her a
had receiued that naughtie Plexirtus into a streight degree of fauour his goodnesse being as apt to be deceiued as the others craft was to deceiue Till by plaine proofe finding that the vngratefull man went about to poyson him yet would not suffer his kindnesse to be ouercome not by iustice it selfe but calling him to him vsed words to this purpose Plexirtus said he this wickednesse is founde by thee No good deedes of mine haue bene able to keepe it downe in thee All men counsell me to take away thy life likely to bring foorth nothing but as daungerous as wicked effects But I cannot finde it in my harte remembring what fathers sonne thou art But since it is the violence of ambition which perchaunce puls thee from thine owne iudgement I will see whether the satisfying that may quiet the ill working of thy spirites Not farre hence is the great cittie of Trebisonde which with the territorie about it aunciently pertained vnto this crowne now vniustly possessed and as vniustly abused by those who haue neither title to holde it nor vertue to rule it To the conquest of that for thy selfe I will lende thee force and giue thee my right Go therefore and with lesse vnnaturalnesse glut thy ambition there and that done if it be possible learne vertue Plexirtus mingling forsworne excuses with false-meant promises gladly embraced the offer and hastilie sending backe for those two Brothers who at that time were with vs succouring the gratious Queene Erona by their vertue chiefly if not onely obteined the conquest of that goodly dominion Which indeede done by them gaue them such an authoritie that though he raigned they in effect ruled most men honouring them because they onely deserued honour and many thinking therein to please Plexirtus considering how much he was bound vnto them while they likewise with â— certaine sincere boldnesse of selfe-warranting friendship accepted all openly and plainely thinking nothing should euer by Plexirtus be thought too much in them since all they were was his But he who by the rules of his own mind could construe no other end of mens doings but selfe seking sodenly feared what they could doo and as sodainely suspected what they would doo and as sodainly hated them as hauing both might and minde to doo But dreading their power standing so strongly in their owne valour and others affection he durst not take open way against them and as hard it was to take a secrete they being so continually followed by the best and euery way hablest of that region and therefore vsed this diuelish sleight which I will tell you not doubting most wicked man to turne their owne friendship toward him to their owne destruction He knowing that they well knew there was no friendship betweene him and the new King of Pontus neuer since he succoured Leonatus and vs to his ouerthrow gaue them to vnderstand that of late there had passed secrete defiance betweene them to meete priuately at a place apointed Which though not so fit a thing for men of their greatnes yet was his honour so engaged as he could not go backe Yet faining to find himselfe weake by some counterfait infirmitie the day drawing neere he requested each of them to go in his stead making either of theÌ„ sweare to keepe the matter secret euen ech from other deliuering the selfe same particularities to both but that he told Tydeus the King would meet him in a blew armour and Telenor that it was a black armour and with wicked subtiltie as if it had bene so apointed caused Tydeus to take a black armour and Telenor a blew appointing them waies how to go so as he knew they should not meet till they came to the place appointed where each had promised to keepe silence lest the King should discouer it was not Plexirtus and there in a wait had he laied these murtherers that who ouerliued the other should by them be dispatched he not daring trust more then those with that enterprise and yet thinking them too few till themselues by themselues were weakened This we learned chiefly by the chiefe of those way-beaters after the death of those two worthie brothers whose loue was no lesse then their valour but well we might finde much thereof by their pitifull lamentation when they knew their mismeeting and saw each other in despite of the Surgerie we could doo vnto them striuing who should runne fastest to the goale of death each bewailing the other and more dying in the other then in himselfe cursing their owne hands for doing and their breastes for not sooner suffering detesting their vnfortunately-spent time in hauing serued so vngratefull a Tyraunt and accusing their folly in hauing beleeued he could faithfully loue who did not loue faithfulnes wishing vs to take heed how we placed our good will vpon any other ground then proofe of vertue since length of acquaintance mutuall secrecies nor height of benefits could binde a sauage harte no man being good to other that is not good in himselfe Then while any hope was beseeching vs to leaue the care of him that besought and onely looke to the other But when they found by themselues and vs no possibilitie they desired to be ioined and so embracing and crauing that pardon each of other which they denied to themselues they gaue vs a most sorrowfull spectacle of their death leauing â—ew in the world behind them their matches in any thing if they had soone inough knowne the ground and limits of friendship But with wofull hartes we caused those bodies to be conueyed to the next towne of Bythinia where we learning thus much as I haue tolde you caused the wicked Historian to conclude his story with his owne well-deserued death But then I must tell you I found such wofull countenances in Daiphantus that I could not but much maruaile finding them coÌ„tinew beyond the first assault of pittie how the case of strangers for further I did not conceiue could so deepely pearce But the truth indeed is that partly with the shame and sorrow she tooke of her fathers faultinesse partly with the feare that the hate I conceiued against him would vtterly disgrace her in my opinion whensoeuer I should know her so vehemeÌ„tly perplexed her that her fayre colour decaied and dayly hastily grew into the very extreme working of sorowfulnes which oft I sought to learne and helpe But she as fearefull as louing still concealed it and so decaying still more more in the excellencie of her fairenesse but that whatsoeuer weakenesse tooke away pitie seemed to adde yet still she forced her selfe to waite on me with such care and diligence as might well shew had bene taught in no other schoole but Loue. While we returning againe to embarke our selues for Greece vnderstood that the mighty Otanes brother to Barzanes slaine by Musidorus in the battaile of the six Princes had entred vpon the kingdome of Pontus partly vpon the pretences he had to the crowne but principally
because subiect Then began shee to speake but with so prettie and delightfull a maiestie when she set her countenaunce to tell the matter that Pyrocles could not chuse but rebell so far as to kisse her She would haue puld her head away and speake but while she spake he kist it seemed he fedde vpon her words but she gate away How will you haue your discourse said she without you let my lips alone Hee yeelded and tooke her hand On this saide hee will I reuenge my wrong and so began to make much of that hand when her tale his delight were interrupted by Miso who taking her time while Basilius backe was turned came vnto them and tolde Philoclea she deserued she knew what for leauing her mother being euill at ease to keepe companie with straungers But Philoclea telling her that she was there by her fathers commandement she went away muttering that though her back her shoulders her necke were broken yet as long as her tongue would wagge it should do her errand to her mother And so went vp to Gynecia who was at that time miserably vexed with this manner of dreame It seemed vnto her to bee in a place full of thornes which so molested her as she could neither abide standing still nor tread safely going forward In this case she thought Zelmane being vpon a faire hill delightfull to the eye and easie in apparance called her thither whither with much anguish being come Zelmane was vanished and she found nothing but a dead bodie like vnto her husband which seeming at the first with a strange smel to infect her as she was redie likewise within a while to die the dead bodie she thought tooke her in his armes and said Gynecia leaue all for here is thy onely rest With that she awaked crying very loud Zelmane Zelmane But remembring her selfe and seeing Basilius by her guiltie conscience more suspecting then being suspected she turned her cal and called for Philoclea Miso forthwith like a valiant shrew looking at Basilins as though she would speake though she died for it tolde Gynecia that her daughter had bene a whole houre togither in secrete talke with Zelmane And sayes she for my part I coulde not be heard your daughters are brought vp in such awe though I tolde her of your pleasure sufficiently Gynecia as if shee had heard her last doome pronounced against her with a side-looke chaunged countenance O my Lorde said she what meane you to suffer these yong folkes together Basilius that aymed nothing at the marke of her suspition smilingly tooke her in his armes sweete wife said he I thanke you for your care of your childe but they must be youthes of other mettall then Zelmane that can endaunger her O but cryed Gynecia and therewith she stayed for then indeede she did suffer a right conflict betwixt the force of loue and rage of iealousie Manie times was she about to satisfie the spite of her minde and tell Basilius how she knewe Zelmane to bee farre otherwise then the outwarde appearance But those many times were all put backe by the manifolde obiections of her vehement loue Faine shee would haue barde her daughters happe but loth she was to cut off her owne hope But now as if her life had bene set vppon a wager of quicke rysing as weake as shee was shee gat vp though Basilius with a kindnesse flowing onely from the fountaine of vnkindnesse being indeed desirous to winne his daughter as much time as might bee was loth to suffer it swearing hee sawe sickenesse in her face and therefore was loath shee should aduenture the ayre But the great and wretched Ladie Gynecia possessed with those deuils of Loue and Iealousie did rid herselfe from her tedious husbande and taking no body with her going toward them O Iealousie said she the phrensie of wise folkes the well-wishing spite and vnkinde carefulnesse the selfe-punishment for others fault and selfe-miserie in others happinesse the cousin of enuie daughter of loue and mother of hate how couldest thou so quietly get thee a seate in the vnquiet hart of Gynecia Gynecia said she sighing thought wise and once vertuous Alas it is thy breeders power which plantes thee there it is the flaming agonie of affection that works the chilling accesse of thy feuer in such sort that nature giues place the growing of my daughter seemes the decay of my selfe the blessings of a mother turne to the curses of a competitor and the faire face of Philoclea appeares more horrible in my sight then the image of death Then remembred she this song which she thought tooke a right measure of her present minde VVYth two strange fires of equall heate possest The one of Loue the other Iealousie Both still do worke in neither finde I rest For both alas their strengthes together tie The one aloft doth holde the other hie Loue wakes the the iealous eye least thence it moues The iealous eye the more it lookes it loues These fires increase in these I dayly burne They feede on me and with my wings do flie My louely ioyes to dolefull ashes turne Their flames mount vp my powers prostrate lie They liue in force I quite consumed die One wonder yet farre passeth my conceate The fuell small how be the fires so great But her vnleasured thoughtes ran not ouer the ten first wordes but going with a pace not so much to fast for her bodie as slowe for her minde shee found them together who after Misos departure had left their tale and determined what to say to Basilius But full abashed was poore Philoclea whose conscience now began to know cause of blushing for first salutation receyuing an eye from her mother full of the same disdainefull scorne which Pallas shewed to poore Arachne that durst contend with her for the prize of well weauing yet did the force of loue so much rule her that though for Zelmanes sake she did detest her yet for Zelmanes sake shee vsed no harder words to her then to bid her go home and accompany her solitarie father Then began she to display to Zelmane the storehouse of her deadly desires when sodainly the confused rumor of a mutinous multitude gaue iust occasion to Zelmane to breake of any such conference for well shee found they were not friendly voices they heard and to retire with as much diligence as conueniently they could towards the lodge Yet before they coulde winne the lodge by twentie paces they were ouertaken by an vnruly sort of clownes and other rebels which like a violent floud were caried they themselues knewe not whether But assoone as they came within perfect discerning these Ladies like enraged beastes without respect of their estates or pitie of their sexe they began too runne against them as right villaines thinking abilitie to doo hurt to be a great aduancement yet so many as they were so many almost were their mindes all knitte together only in madnes Some cried Take
vnnaturall as not to haue with the holy name of your naturall Prince any furie ouer-maistred For such a hellish madnes I know did neuer enter into your harts as to attempt any thing against his person which no successor though neuer so hatefull will euer leaue for his owne sake vnreuenged Neither can your wonted valour be turned to such a basenes as in stead of a Prince deliuered vnto you by so many royall ancestors to take the tyrannous yoke of your fellow subiect in whome the innate meanes will bring forth rauenous couetousnes and the newnes of his estate suspectfull cruelty Imagine what could your enimies more wish vnto you then to see your owne estate with your owne handes vndermined O what would your fore-fathers say if they liued at this time and saw their of-spring defacing such an excellent principalitie which they with much labour and bloud so wisely haue establisht Do you thinke them fooles that saw you should not enioy your vines your cattell no not your wiues and children without gouernment and that there could be no gouernment without a Magistrate and no Magistrate without obedience and no obedience where euery one vpon his owne priuate passion may interprete the doings of the rulers Let your wits make your present example a lesson to you What sweetnes in good faith find you in your present condition what choise of choise finde you if you had lost Basilius vnder whose ensigne would you go if your enimies should inuade you If you cannot agree vpon one to speake for you how will you agree vpō one to fight for you But with this feare of I cannot tell what one is troubled and with that passed wrong another is grieued And I pray you did the Sunne euer bring you a fruitfull haruest but that it was more hote then pleasant Haue any of you children that be not sometimes cumbersome Haue any of you fathers that be not sometime weerish What shall we curse the Sonne hate our childrē or disobey our fathers But what need I vse these words since I see in your countenances now vertuously settled nothing els but loue and dutie to him by whom for your only sakes the gouernment is embraced For all what is done he doth not only pardon you but thanke you iudging the action by the minds not the minds by the action Your grieues and desires whatsoeuer and whensoeuer you list he will consider of and to his consideration it is reason you should refer them So then to conclude the vncertainty of his estate made you take armes now you see him well with the same loue lay them downe If now you end as I know you will he will make no other account of this matter but as of a vehement I must confesse ouer-vehement affection the only continuance might proue a wickednes But it is not so I see very well you began with zeale and will end with reuerence The action Zelmane vsed being beautified by nature and apparelled with skill her gestures being such that as her words did paint out her minde so they serued as a shadow to make the picture more liuely and sensible with the sweete cleernesse of her voice rising and falling kindly as the nature of the worde and efficacie of the matter required altogether in such an admirable person whose incomparable valour they had well felte whose beautie did pearce through the thicke dulnes of their senses gaue such a way vnto her speach through the rugged wildernesse of their imaginations who besides they were striken in admiration of her as of more then a humane creature were coold with taking breath and had learned doubts out of leasute that in steed of roaring cries there was now heard nothing but a confused muttring whether her saying were to be followed betwixt feare to pursue and lothnesse to leaue most of them could haue bene content it had neuer bene begun but how to end it each afraid of his companion they knew not finding it far easier to tie then to loose knots But Zelmane thinking it no euill way in such mutinies to giue the mutinous some occasion of such seruice as they might thinke in their owne iudgement would counteruaile their trespasse withall to take the more assured possession of their mindes which she feared might begin to wauer Loiall Arcadians said she now do I offer vnto you the manifesting of your duties all those that haue taken armes for the Princes safetie let them turne their backs to the gate with their weapōs bent against such as would hurt his sacred person O weake trust of the many-headed multitude whom inconstancie onely doth guide to wel doing who can set confidence there where cōpany takes away shame and ech may lay the fault on his fellow So said a craftie felow among them named Clinias to himselfe when he saw the word no sooner out of Zelmanes mouth but that there were some shouts of ioy with God saue Basilius and diuers of them with much iollity growne to be his guard that but litle before ment to be his murderers This Clinias in his youth had bene a scholler so farre as to learne rather words then maners and of words rather plentie then order and oft had vsed to be an actor in Tragedies where he had learned besides a slidingnesse of language acquaintance with many passions and to frame his face to beare the figure of them long vsed to the eyes and eares of men and to recken no fault but shamefastnesse in nature a most notable Coward and yet more strangely then rarely venturous in priuie practises This fellowe was become of neere trust to Cecropia Amphialus his mother so that he was priuy to all the mischieuous deuises wherewith she went about to ruine Basilius and his children for the aduauncing of her sonne and though his education had made him full of tongue yet his loue to be doing taught him in any euill to be secret and had by his mistresse bene vsed euer since the strange retiring of Basilius to whisper rumors into the peoples eares and this time finding great aptnes in the multitude was one of the chiefe that set them in the vprore though quite without the consent of Amphialus who would not for all the Kingdoms of the world so haue aduentured the life of Philoclea But now perceiuing the flood of their furie began to ebbe he thought it policie to take the first of the tide so that no man cried lowder then he vpon Basilius And some of the lustiest rebels not yet agreeing to the rest he caused two or three of his mates that were at his commandement to lift him vp then as if he had had a prologue to vtter he began with a nice grauitie to demaund audience But few attending what he said with vehement gesture as if he would teare the stars from the skies he fell to crying out so lowde that not onely Zelmane but Basilius might heare him O vnhappie men more mad then the
with these hexam eters in the following order he vttered Philisides Echo Faire Rocks goodly riuers sweet woods when shall I see peace Peace Peace what barrs me my tongue who is it that comes me so ny I. Oh! I do know what guest I haue mett it is Echo 't is Echo Well mett Echo aproche then tell me thy will too I will too Echo what do I gett yelding my sprite to my grieues Grieues What medecin may I finde for a griefe that draw's me to death Death O poisonous medecin what worse to me can be then it It. In what state was I then when I tooke this deadly disease Ease And what manner a mind which had to that humor a vaine Vaine Hath not Reason enough vehemence the desire to reproue Proue Oft proue I but what salue when Reason seeks to be gone One Oh! what is it what is it that may be a salue to my Loue Loue. What do louers seeke for long seeking for to enioy Ioy. What be the ioyes which for to enioy they went to the paines Paines Then to an earnest Loue what doth best victorie lend Ende End but I can neuer end loue will not giue me the leaue Leaue How be the minds dispos'd that can not tast thy physick Sick Yet say againe thy aduise forth ' eu'lls that I told thee I told thee Doth th' infected wretch of his harme th' extremity know No. But if he know not his â—arms what guides hath he whil'st he be blind Blind What blinde guides can he haue that leanes to a fancy A fancy Can fancies want eies or he fall that steppeth aloft Oft. What causes first made these torments on me to light Light Can then a cause be so light that forceth a man to go die Yea. Yet tell what light thinge I had in me to draw me to die Eye Eysight made me to yeelde but what first pierst to my eies Eies Eies hurters eies hurt but what from them to me fall's Fall's But when I first did fal what brought most fall to my hart Arte. Arte what can be that art that thou dost meane by thy speche Speche What be the fruites of speaking arte what growes by the words Words O much more then words those words seru'd more me to blesse Lesse Oh when shall I be knowne wher most to be knowne I do longe Long. Long be thy woes for such newes but how reck's she my thoughts Oughts Then then what do I gaine since vnto hir will I do winde Winde Winde tempests stormes yet in ende what giues she desire Ire Silly rewarde yet among women hath she of vertu the most Most What great name may I giue to so heau'nly a woman A woe-man Woe but seems to me ioy that agrees to my thought so I thought so Think so for of my desired blisse it is only the course Curse Curs'd be thy selfe for cursing that which leades me to ioies Toies What be the sweet creatures wher lowly demaunds be not heard Hard. What makes them be vnkind speake for th' hast narroly pride Pride Whence can pride come there since springs of beawty be thence Thence Horrible is this blasphemy vnto the most holy O lie Thou list false Echo their minds as vertu be iust Iust. Mock'st thou those Diamonds which only be matcht by the gods Ods. Ods what an ods is their since them to the heau'ns I prefer erre Tell yet againe me the names of these faire form'd to do eu'lls Deu'lls Deu'lls if in hell such deu'lls do a bide to the hells I do go Go. Philisides was commended for the placing of his Echo but little did hee regarde their praises who had sett the foundation of his honour there where hee was most despisde and therefore retorning againe to the traine of his desolate pensiuenes Zelmanes seing no body offer to fill the stage as if her long restrayned conceates did now burst out of prison she thus desiring her voice should be accorded to nothing but to Philocleas eares threw downe the burden of her minde in Anacreous kinde of verses My muse what ail's this ardour To blase my onely secretts Alas it is no glory To sing my owne decaid state Alas it is no comfort To speake without an answere Alas it is no wisdome To shew the wound without cure My muse what ail's this ardour Mine eys be dym my lyms shake My voice is hoarse my throte scerchte My tong to this my roofe cleaues My fancy amazde my thought dull'd My harte doth ake my life faints My sowle beginnes to take leaue So greate a passion all feele To think a soare so deadly I should so rashly ripp vp My muse what ail's this ardour If that to sing thou arte bent Go sing the fall of old Thebes The warres of ougly Centaurs The life the death of Hector So may the songe be famous Or if to loue thou art bent Rocount the rape of Europe Adonis end Venus nett The sleepy kisse the moone stale So may thy song be pleasant My muse what ail's this ardour To blase my onely secretts Wherein do only flowrish The sorry fruites of anguish The song thereof a last will The tunes be cryes the words plaints The singer is the songs theame When no eare can haue ioy Nor ey receaue due obiect Ne pleasure here ne fame gett My muse what ail's this ardour Alas she saith I am thine So are thy pains my pains too Thy heated harte my seat is Wherein I burne thy breath is My voice too hott to keepe in Besides lo here the auther Of all thy harmes Lo here she That only can redresse thee Of her I will demaund helpe My muse I yeeld my muse singe But all thy songe herein knitt The life we leade is all loue The loue we holde is all death Nor ought I craue to feede life Nor ought I seeke to shun death But onely that my goddesse My life my death do counte hers Basilius when shee had fully ended her song fell prostrate vpon the ground and thanked the Gods they had preserued his life so longe as to heare the very musicke they themselues vsed in an earthly body And then with like grace to Zelmane neuer left intreating her till she had taking a Lyra Basilius helde for her song these Phaâ—eâ—ciakes Reason tell me thy mind if here be reason In this strange violence to make resistance Where sweet graces erect the stately banner Of vertues regiment shining in harnesse Of fortunes Diademes by beauty mustred Say then Reason I say what is thy counsell Her loose haire be the shott the breaste the pykes be Skowts each motion is the hands be horsmen Her lipps are the riches the warres to maintaine Where well couched abides a coffer of pearle Her legges carriage is of all the sweet campe Say then Reason I say what is thy counsell Her cannons be her eys myne eys the walls be Which at firste voly gaue too open entry Nor ramper did abide my braine was vp blowne
to cary himself away from her sight and to run into the woods where throwing himselfe downe at the foot of a tree he did not fall to lamentation for that proceeded of pittying or grieuing for himself which he did no way but to curses of his life as one that detested himselfe For finding himselfe not onely vnhappy but vnhappy after being falne from all happines and to be falne from all happines not by any misconceiuing but by his own fault and his fault to be done to no other but to Pamela he did not tender his owne estate but despised it greedily drawing into his minde all conceipts which might more and more torment him And so remained he two daies in the woods disdaining to giue his bodie food or his mind comfort louing in himselfe nothing but the loue of her And indeede that loue onelye straue with the fury of his anguish telling it that if it destroyed Dorus it should also destroy the image of her that liued in Dorus and wheÌ„ the thought of that was crept in vnto him it begaÌ„ to win of him some compassion to the shrine of that image to bewaile not for himself whoÌ„ he hated but that so notable a loue should perish TheÌ„ began he onely so far to wish his owne good as that Pamela might pardon him the fault though not the punishmeÌ„t and the vttermost height he aspired vnto was that after his death she might yet pitie his error know that it proceeded of loue not of boldnes That coÌ„ceipt found such friendship in his thoughts that at last he yelded since he was banished her preseÌ„ce to seek some means by writing to shew his sorow and testifie his repeÌ„tance Therfore getting him the necessary instrumeÌ„ts of writing he thought best to couÌ„terfait his haÌ„d fearing that as already she knew his she would cast it away as soon as she saw it to put it in verse hoping that would draw her on to read the more chusing the Elegiac as fittest for mourning but neuer pen did more quakingly perform his office neuer was paper more double moistned with inke teares neuer words more slowly maried together neuer the Muses more tired thaÌ„ now with changes rechanges of his deuises fearing how to end before he had resolued how to begin mistrusting ech word condemning eche sentence This word was not significant that word was too plain this would not be coÌ„ceiued the other would be ill coÌ„ceiued Here Sorow was not enough expressed there he seemed too much for his own sake to be sory This senteÌ„ce rather shewed art theÌ„ passion that seÌ„tence rather foolishly passionate theÌ„ forcibly mouing At last marring with meÌ„ding and putting out better then he left he made an end of it and being ended was diuerse times readie to teare it till his reason assuring him the more he studied the worse it grew he folded it vp deuoutly inuoking good acceptation vnto it and watching his time when they were all gone one day to dinner sauing Mopsa to the other lodge stale vp into Pamelaes chamber and in her standish which first he kissed and craued of it a safe and friendly keeping left it there to be seene at her next vsing her inke himselfe returning againe to be true prisoner to desperate sorrow leauing her standish vpon her beds head to giue her the more occasion to marke it which also fell out For she finding it at her after noone-returne in another place then she left it opened it But when she saw the letter her hart gaue her from whence it came And therefore clapping it to againe she went away from it as if it had bene a contagious garment of an infected person and yet was not long away but that she wished she had read it though she were loth to read it Shall I said she secoÌ„d his boldnes so far as to read his presumptuous letters And yet said she he sees me not now to grow the bolder therby And how can I tel whether they be presumptuous The paper came from him therfore not worthy to be receiued and yet the paper she thought was not guiltie At last she concluded it were not much amisse to looke it ouer that she might out of his words pick some further quarrell against him Theâ— she opened it and threw it away and took it vp againe till ere she were aware heâ— eyes would needs read it conteining this matter VNto a caitife wretch whom long affliction holdeth and now fully beleeues helpe to be quite perished Grant yet grant yet a looke to the last monument of his anguishe O you alas so I finde cause of his onely ruine Dread not a whit O goodly cruell that pittie may enter into thy hart by the sight of this Epistle I sendâ— And so refuse to beholde of these strange wounds the recitall least it might th'allure home to thy selfe to returne Vnto thy selfe I do meane those graces dwell so within thee gratefulnes sweetnes holy loue hartie regard Such thing cannot I seeke Despaire hath giu'n me my answere Despaire most tragicall clause to a deadly request Such thing cannot he hope that knowes thy determinat hardnes hard like a rich marbell hard but a faire Diamond Can those eyes that of eyes drownd in most harty flowing teares teares and teares of a man had no returne to remorse Can those eyes now yeeld to the kind conceit of a sorow which inke onely relates but ne laments ne replies Ah that that I do I not conceiue though that to my blisse were more then Nestors yeares more then a Kings diademe Ah that that do I not conceiue to the heauen when a mouse climes then may I hope t' atchieue grace of a heauenly tiger But but alas like a man condemn'd doth craue to be heard speak not that he hopes for amends of the desaster he feeles But finding th'approch of death with an inly relenting giues an adieu to the world as to his onely delight Right so my boiling hart enflam'de with sâ—re of a faire eye bubling out doth breath signes of his hugie dolours Now that he findes to what end his life and loue be reserued and that he thence must part where to liue only he liu'd O faire O fairest are such thy triumphs to thy fairenesse can death beautie become must I be such monument Must I be onely the marke shall proue that vertue is angrie shall proue that fiercenes can with a white doue abide Shall to the world appeare that faith and loue be rewarded with mortall disdaine bent to vnendly reuenge Vnto reuenge O sweete on a wretch wilt thou be reuenged shall such high Plannets tend to the losse of a worme And to reuenge who doo bend would in that kinde be reuenged as th' offence was done and goe beyond if he can All my'offence was Loue with Loue then must I be chastned and with more by the lawes that to reuenge doo belong If that loue be a fault more
hath the preheminence so that in that preheminence Nature counteruailes al other liberalities wherein she may bee thought to haue dealte more fauourably towarde mankind How doo men crowne thinke you themselues with glorie for hauing either by force brought others to yeelde to their minde or with long studie and premeditated orations perswaded what they would haue perswaded and see a faire woman shall not onely commaund without authoritie but perswade without speaking She shall not neede to procure attention for their owne eyes will chaine their eares vnto it Men venture liues to coÌ„quere she conqueres liues without venturing She is serued and obeyed which is the most notable not because the lawe so commaund it but because they become lawes themselues to obey her not for her parents sake but for her own sake She need not dispute whether to gouerne by Feare or Loue since without her thinking thereof their loue will bring foorth feare and their feare will fortifie their loue and shee neede not seeke offensiue or defensiue force since her onely lippes may stande for ten thousand shieldes and tenne thousand vneuitable shot goe from her eyes Beautie Beautie deere Neece is the crowne of the feminine greatnes which gifte on whom soeuer the heauens therein most nigardly do bestowe without question she is bound to vse it to the noble purpose for which it is created not onely winning but preseruing since that indeede is the right happines which is not onely in itselfe happie but can also deriue the happines to another Certainly Aunt said Pamela I feare me you will make me not only think my selfe fairer then euer I did but think my fairenes a matter of greater valew then heretofore I could imagine it For I euer til now conceaued these conquests you speake of rather to proceed from the weakenes of the conquered then from the strength of the conquering power as they say the Cranes ouerthrow whole battailes of Pygmees not so much of their Cranish courage as because the other are Pygmees and that wee see young babes thinke babies of woonderfull excellencie and yet the babies are but babies But since your elder yeares abler iudgement finde Beautie to be worthy of so incomparable estimation certainly me thinks it ought to be held in dearnes according to the excellencie and no more then we would do of things which we account pretious euer to suffer it to be defiled Defiled saide Cecropia Mary God forbid that my speech shoulde tend to any such purpose as should deserue so foul a title My meaning is to ioyne your beauty to loue your youth to delight For truely as coulours should be as good as nothing if there were no eyes to behold them so is Beauty nothing without the eye of Loue behold it and therfore so far is it from defiling it that it is the onely honoring of it the onely preseruing of it for Beauty goes awaye deuoured by Time but where remaines it euer flourishing but in the hart of a true louer And such a one if euer there were any is my son whose loue is so subiected vnto you that rather theÌ„ breed any offence vnto you it will not delight it selfe in beholding you There is no effect of his loue answered Pamela better pleaseth mee then that but as I haue often answered you so resolutely I say vnto you that he must get my parents consent and then he shall know further of my minde for without that I know I should offend God O sweet youth said Cecropia how vntimely subiect it is to deuotion No no sweet neece let vs old folks thinke of such precise considerations do you enioy the heauen of your age whereof you are sure and like good housholders which spend those thinges that will not bee kept so do you pleasantly enioy that which else will bring an ouer-late repentance when your glas shall accuse you to your face what a change there is in you Do you see how the spring-time is full of flowers decking it selfe with them and not aspiring to the fruits of Autumn what lesson is that vnto you but that in the april of your age you should be like April Let not some of them for whom alredy the graue gapeth and perhaps enuy the felicity in you which theÌ„selues cannot enioy perswade you to lose the holde of occasion while it may not onely be taken but offers nay sues to bee taken which if it bee not now taken wil neuer hereafter be ouertaken Your selfe know how your father hath refused all offers made by the greatest Princes about you wil you suffer your beauty to be hidden in the wrinckles of his peuish thoughts If hee be peuish said Pamela yet is he my father and how beautifull so euer I be I am his daughter so as God claimes at my hands obedience and makes me no iudge of his imperfectionsâ— These often replies vpon conscience in Pamela made Cecropia thinke that there was no righter waye for her then as shee had in her opinion set her in liking of Beautie with perswasion not to suffer it to be voide of purpose â—o if she could make her lesse feeling of those heauenly conceipts that then shee might easilie winde her to her croked bias Therefore employing the vttermost of her mischieuous witte and speaking the more earnestly because she spake as shee thought shee thus dealt with her Deare neece or rather deare daughter if my affection wish might preuaile therein how much dooth it increase trowe you the earnest desire I haue of this blessed match to see these vertues of yours knit fast with such zeale of Deuotion indeede the best bonde which the most politicke wittes haue founde to holde mans witte in well doing For as children must first by feare bee induced to knowe that which after when they doo know they are most glad of So are these bug-beares of opinioÌ„s brought by great Clearks into the world to serue as shewelles to to keepe them from those faults whereto els the vanitie of the worlde and weakenes of senses might pull them But in you Neece whose excellencie is such as it neede not to be helde vp by the staffe of vulgar opinions I would not you shoulde loue Vertue seruillie for feare of I know not what which you see not but euen for the good effects of vertue which you see Feare and indeede foolish feare fearefull ignorance was the first inuenter of those conceates For when they hearde it thunder not knowing the naturall cause they thought there was some angrie body aboue that spake so lowde and euer the lesse they did perceiue the more they did conceiue Whereof they knew no cause that grew streight a miracle foolish folkes not marking that the alterations be but vpon particular accidents the vniuersalitie being alwaies one Yesterday was but as to day and to morrow will tread the same footsteps of his foregoers so as it is manifest inough that all thinges follow but the course of their
she meanes to trie thy force and my Amphialus knowe thy selfe a man and shew thy selfe a man and beleeue me vpon my word a woman is a woman Amphialus was about to answere her when a Gentleman of his made him vnderstand that there was a messenger come who had brought a letter vnto him from out of the campe whom he presently calling for tooke opened and read the letter importing this TO thee Amphialus of Arcadia the forsaken Knight wisheth health and courage that by my hand thou maiest receyue punishment for thy treason according to thine owne offer which wickedly occasioned thou hast proudly begun and accursedly mainteyned I will presently if thy minde faint thee not for his owne guiltinesse meete thee in thy Iland in such order as hath by the former beene vsed or if thou likest not the time place or weapon I am ready to take thine owne reasonable choise in any of them so as thou doo perfourme the substaunce Make me such answere as may shewe that thou hast some taste of honour and so I leaue thee to liue till I meete thee Amphialus read it and with a deepe sigh according to the humour of inward affliction seemed euen to condemne him selfe as though indeed his reproches were true But howsoeuer the dulnes of Melancholy would haue languishingly yeelded thereunto his Courage vnused to such iniuries desired helpe of Anger to make him this answere FOrsaken Knight though your namelesse challenge might carry in it selfe excuse for a man of my birth and estate yet herein set your harte at rest you shall not be forsaken I will without stay answere you in the woonted manner and come both armed in your foolish threatnings and yet the more fearelesse expecting weake blowes where I finde so sâ—rong words You shall not therefore long attende me in the Iland before proofe teach you that of my life you haue made your selfe too large a promise In the meane time Farewell This being written and deliuered the messenger tolde him that his Lord would if he liked the same bring two Knights with him to be his Patrons Which Amphialus accepted and withall shaking off with resolution his mothers importunate disswasions he furnished him selfe for the fight but not in his wonted furniture For now as if he would turne his inside outward he would needes appeare all in blacke his decking both for him selfe and horse being cut out into the fashion of very ragges yet all so daintely ioyned together with pretious stones as it was a braue raggednesse and a riche pouertie and so cunningly had a workeman followed his humour in his armour that he had giuen it a rustie shewe and yet so as any man might perceiue was by arte and not negligence carying at one instant a disgraced handsomnesse and a new oldnes In his shield he bare for his deuise a Night by an excellent painter excellently painted with a Sunne with a shadow and vpon the shadow with a speech signifying that it onely was barrd from inioying that whereof it had his life or From whose I am bannished In his creste he caried Philocleas kniues the onely token of her forced fauour So past he ouer into the Iland taking with him the two brothers of Anaxius where he founde the forsaken Knight attired in his owne liuerie as blacke as sorrowe it selfe could see it selfe in the blackest glasse his ornaments of the same hew but formed into the figure of Rauens which seemed to gape for carrion onely his raynes were snakes which finely wrapping themselues one within the other their heads came together to the cheekes and bosses of the bit where they might seeme to bite at the horse and the horse as he champte the bit to bite at them and that the white foame was ingendred by the poysonous furie of the combatt His Impresa was a Catoblepta which so long lies dead as the Moone whereto it hath so naturall a sympathie wants her light The worde signified that The Moone wanted not the light but the poore beast wanted the Moones light He had in his headpiece a whippe to witnesse a selfe-punishing repentaunce Their very horses were cole-blacke too not hauing so much as one starre to giue light to their night of blackenesse so as one would haue thought they had bene the two sonnes of Sorrow and were come thether to fight for their birth-right in that sorie inheritance Which aliance of passions so moued Amphialus alredy tender-minded by the afflictions of Loue that without staffe or sword drawne he trotted fairely to the forsaken Knight willing to haue put off this combat to which his melancholy hart did more then euer in like occasion misgiue him and therefore saluting him Good Knight said he because we are men and should know reason why we doo things tell me the cause that makes you thus eager to fight with me Because I affirme answered the forsaken Knight that thou dost most rebellious iniurie to those Ladies to whome all men owe seruice You shall not fight with me saide Amphialus vpon that quarrell for I confesse the same too but it proceeds from their owne beauty to inforce Loue to offer this force I maintaine then said the forsaken Knight that thou art not worthy so to loue And that confesse I too said Amphialus since the world is not so richly blessed as to bring forth any thing worthie thereof But no more vnworthy then any other since in none can be a more worthy loue Yes more vnworthy then my selfe said the forsaken Knight for though I deserue contempt thou deseruest both contempt and hatred But Amphialus by that thinking though wrongly each indeede mistaking other that he was his riuall forgat all minde of reconciliation and hauing all his thoughts bound vp in choler neuer staying either iudge trumpet or his owne launce drew out his sword and saying Thou lyest false villaine vnto him his words blowes came so quick together as the one seemed a lightning of the others thunder But he found no barren ground of such seede for it yeelded him his owne with such encrease that though Reason and Amazement go rarely togither yet the most reasonable eies that saw it found reason to be amazed at the fury of their combat Neuer game of death better plaid neuer fury set it selfe forth in greater brauerie The curteous Vulcan when he wrought at his more curteous wiues request AEnaeas an armour made not his hammer beget a greater sounde then the swords of those noble Knights did they needed no fire to their forge for they made the fire to shine at the meeting of their swords armours ech side fetching still new spirit from the castle window and carefull of keeping their sight that way as a matter of greater consideration in their combat then either the aduantage of Sun or winde which Sunne wind if the astonished eies of the beholders were not by the astonishmeÌ„t deceiued did both stand still to be beholders of this rare match For neither
Gyantes haue falne dead when I onely sought causelesse aduentures and can one Knight now withstand me in the presence of Philoclea and fighting for Philoclea or since I lost my liberty haue I lost my courag haue I gottē the hart of a slaue as wel as the fortūe If an armie were against me in the sight of Philoclea could it resist me O beast on man resists thee thy riual resists thee or am I indeed Amphialus haue not passions kild him and wretched I I know not how succeeded into his place Of the other side the forsaken Knight with no lesse spite fell out with himselfe Hast thou broken saide hee to himselfe the commandement of thy onely Princesse to come now into her presence and in her presence to proue thy selfe a coward Doth Asia and AEgypt set vp Trophes vnto thee to be matched here by a traytor O noble Barsanes how shamed will thy soule be that he that slew thee should be resisted by this one man O incomparable Pyrocles more grieued wilt thou be with thy friends shame then with thine own imprisonment when thou shalt know how little I haue bene able to doo for the deliuerie of thee and those heauenly Princesses Am I worthie to be friend to the most valourous Prince that euer was entituled valorous and shew my selfe so weake a wretch No shamed Musidorus worthie for nothing but to keepe sheepe get thee a sheephooke againe since thou canst vse a sworde no better So was the forsaken Knight layed vpon clokes carried home to the campe But his two friends knowing his earnest desire not to be knowen couering him from any bodies eyes conueyed him to their owne tente Basilius himselfe conquering his earnest desire to see him with feare to displease him who had fought so notably in his quarrell But Fame set the honour vpon his backe which he would not suffer to shine in his face no mans mouth being barrein of prayses to the noble Knight that had bettered the most esteemed Knight in the worlde euery bodie praying for his life and thinking that therein they prayed for themselues But hee himselfe when by the diligent care of friends and well applied cunning of surgeons he came to renewe againe the league betweene his minde and body then fell he to a freshe warre with his owne thoughts wrongfully condemning his manhood laying cowardise to himselfe whome the impudentest backbiter would not so haue wronged For his courage vsed to vse victory as an inheritaunce coulde brooke no resistance at any time but now that hee had promised him selfe not onely the conquest of him but the scaling of the walles and deliuery of Pamela though he had done beyond all others expectation yet so short was he of his owne that hee hated to looke vpon the Sunne that had seene him doo so weakely and so much abhorred all visitation or honour whereof he thought him selfe vnworthy that hee besought his two noble friends to carrie him away to a castle not far of where he might cure his woundes and neuer bee knowne till he made successe excuse this as he thought want in him They louingly obeyed him leauing Basilius and all the campe very sorrie for the parting of these three vnknowne Knights in whose prowesse they had reposed greatest trust of victory But they being gone Basilius and Philanax gaue good order to the strengthning of the siege fortifying themselues so as they feared no more any such suddaine onset as that of Anaxius And they within by reason of Anaxius hurt but especially of Amphialus-is gaue thēselues only to diligent watch ward making no sallies out but committing the principall trust to Zoilus and Lycurgus For Anaxius was yet forced to keepe his chamber And as for Amphialus his body had such wounds and he gaue such wounds to his minde as easily it coulde not bee determined whether death or he made the greater haste one to the other for when the diligent care of cūning surgeons had brought life to the possession of his owne right Sorrowe and Shame like two corrupted seruaunts came waiting of it perswading nothing but the giuing ouer of itselfe to destruction They laide before his eyes his present case painting euery piece of it in moste ougly colours they shewed him his loue wrapped in dispaire his fame blotted by ouerthrow so that if before he languished because he could not obtaine his desiring hee now lamented because he durst not desire the obtaining Recreant Amphialus would hee say to him selfe how darest thou intitle thy selfe the louer of Philoclea that hast neither shewed thy selfe a faithfull coward nor a valiant rebell but both rebellious and cowardly which no lawe can quite nor grace haue pittie of Alas life what little pleasure thou doost me to giue me nothing but sense of reproach and exercise of ruine I would sweete Philoclea I had died before thy eyes had seene my weakenes then perchaunce with some sigh thou wouldest haue confessed thou hadst lost a worthy seruant But nowe caitife that I am what euer I haue donne serues but to builde vp my riuals glory To these speeches he would couple such gestures of vexation and would fortifie the gestures with such effects of furie as sometimes offring to teare vp his wounds sometimes to refuse the sustenance of meat and counsell of phisitions that his perplexed mother was driuen to make him by force to be tended with extreame corsey to her selfe and annoiance to him till in the ende he was contented to promise her he would attempt no violence vpon himselfe vpon condition he might be troubled by no body but onely his Phisitions his melancholy detesting all company so as not the very surgeons nor seruants durst speake vnto him in doing him seruice only he had praied his mother as she tendered his life she would procure him grace and that without that she would neuer come at him more His mother who had confined all her loue only vnto him set only such about him as were absolutely at her commandement whome she forbad to let him knowe any thing that passed in the castle till his woundes were cured but as she from time to time should instruct them she for her selfe being resolued nowe she had the gouernment of all things in her owne handes to satisfie her sonnes loue by their yeelding or satisfie her owne reuenge in their punishment Yet first because she would be the freer from outward force she sent a messenger to the campe to denounce vnto Basilius that if he did not presently raise his siege she would cause the heads of the three Ladies prisoners to be cut off before his eyes And to make him the more feare a present performance she caused his two daughters and Zelmane to be led vnto the walls where she had made a scaffold easie to be seene by Basilius and there caused them to be kept as ready for the slaughter till answere came from Basilius A sight full of pittie it was to see those three
sake one death may be thought inough for me I haue not liued so many yeares but that one death may be able to conclude them neither haue my faults I hope bene so many but that one death may satisfie them It is no great suite to an enemie when but death is desired I craue but that and as for the graunting your request know for certaine you lose your labours being euery day furtherof-minded from becomming his wife who vseth me like a slaue But that in stead of getting grace renued againe Cecropias fury so that excellent creature she was newly againe tormented by those hellish monsters Cecropia vsing no other words but that she was a proud and vngratefull wench and that she would teach her to know her owne good since of her selfe she would not conceaue it So that with silence and patience like a faire gorgeous armour hammered vppon by an ilfauoured Smith she abode their pittiles dealing with her till rather reseruing her for more then meaning to end they left her to an vncomfortable leysure to consider with her selfe her fortune both helplesse her selfe being a prisoner and hopelesse since Zelmane was a prisoner who therein onely was short of the bottome of miserie that she knew not how vnworthilie her Angell by these deuils was abused but wanted God wot no stings of griefe when those words did but strike vpon her hart that Philoclea was a captiue and she not able to succour her For well she knew the confidence Philoclea had in her and well she knew Philoclea had cause to haue confidence and all troden vnder foot by the wheele of senselesse Fortune Yet if there be that imperious power in the soule as it can deliuer knowledge to another without bodilie organs so vehement were the workings of their spirites as one mette with other though themselues perceaued it not but onely thought it to be the doubling of their owne louing fancies And that was the onely worldly thing whereon Philoclea rested her minde that she knewe she should die beloued of Zelmane and should die rather then be false to Zelmane And so this most daintie Nimphe easing the paine of her minde with thinking of anothers paine and almost forgetting the paine of her bodie through the paine of her minde she wasted euen longing for the conclusion of her tedious tragedie But for a while she was vnuisited Cecropia employing her time in vsing the like crueltie vpon Pamela her harte growing not onely to desire the fruite of punishing them but euen to delight in the punishing them But if euer the beames of perfection shined through the clowdes of affliction if euer Vertue tooke a bodie to shewe his els vnconceaueable beautie it was in Pamela For when Reason taught her there was no resistance for to iust resistance first her harte was enclined then with so heauenly a quietnes and so gracefull a calmenes did she suffer the diuers kindes of torments they vsed to her that while they vexed her faire bodie it seemed that she rather directed then obeyed the vexation And when Cecropia ended and asked whether her harte woulde yeelde she a little smiled but such a smiling as shewed no loue and yet could not but be louelie And then Beastlie woman sayde shee followe on doo what thou wilte and canst vpon me for I know thy power is not vnlimited Thou maist well wracke this sillie bodie but me thou canst neuer ouerthrowe For my part I will not doo theâ— the pleasure to desire death of thee but assure thy selfe both my life and death shall triumph with honour laying shame vpon thy detestable tyranny And so in effect conquering their doing with her suffering while Cecropia tried as many sorts of paines as might rather vexe them then spoyle them for that she would not do while she were in any hope to winne either of them for her sonne Pamela remained almost as much content with triall in her selfe what vertue could doo as grieued with the miserie wherein she found her selfe plunged only sometimes her thoughts softned in her when with open wings they flew to Musidorus For then she would thinke with her selfe how grieuously Musidorus would take this her miserie and she that wept not for herselfe wept yet Musidorus teares which he would weepe for her For gentle Loue did easlier yeeld to lamentation then the constancy of vertue would els admitte Then would she remember the case wherein she had left her poore shepheard and she that wished death for her selfe feared death for him and she that condemned in her selfe the feeblenes of sorrow yet thought it great reason to be sory for his sorow and she that long had prayed for the vertuous ioyning themselues together now thinking to die herselfe hartely prayed that long time their fortunes might be seperated Liue long my Musidorus would she say and let my name liue in thy mouth in thy harte my memorie Liue long that thou mayst loue long the chast loue of thy dead Pamela Then would she wish to her selfe that no other woman might euer possesse his hart and yet scarcely the wish was made a wish when her selfe would finde fault with it as being too vniust that so excellent a man should be banished from the comfort of life Then would she fortifie her resolution with bethinking the worst taking the counsell of vertue and comfort of loue So these diamonds of the world whom Nature had made to be preciously set in the eyes of men to be the chiefe workes of her workemanship the chiefe ornaments of the worlde and Princesses of felicitie by rebellious iniury were brought to the vttermost distres that an enemies hart could wish or a womans spite inuent Cecropia dayly in one or other sorte punishing them still with her euill torments giuing them feare of worse making the feare it selfe the sorest torment of all that in the ende wearie of their bodies they should be content to bestow them at her appointment But as in labour the more one doth exercise it the more by the doing one is enhabled to doo strength growing vpon the worke so as what at first would haue seemed impossible after growes easie so these Princesses second to none and far from any second only to be matched by themselues with the vse of suffering their minds gat the habit of suffring so as all feares and terrors were to them but summons to a battaile whereof they knew before hand they would be victorious and which in the suffering was painfull being suffered was a trophe to it selfe whereby Cecropia found her selfe still farder off for where at first she might perchance haue perswaded them to haue visited her sonne and haue giuen him some comforte in his sicknesse drawing neere to the confines of Deaths kingdome now they protested that they would neuer otherwise speake to him then as to the enemy of most vniust cruelty towards them that any time or place could euer make them knowe This made the poison swell in her
cankred brest perceiuing that as in water the more she grasped the lesse she held but yet now hauing run so long the way of rigour it was too late in reason and too contrary to her passion to returne to a course of meekenesse And therefore taking counsell of one of her olde associates who so far excelled in wickednesse as that she had not onely lost all feeling of conscience but had gotten a very glory in euill in the ende they determined that beating and other such sharp dealing did not so much pull downe a womans hart as it bred anger and that nothing was more enemy to yeelding then anger making their tender harts take on the armour of obstinacy for thus did their wicked mindes blinde to the light of vertue and owly eied in the night of wickednes interpret of it and that therefore that was no more to be tried And for feare of death which no question would doo most with them they had bene so often threatned as they began to be familiarly acquainted with it and learned to esteeme threatning words to be but words Therefore the last but best way now was that the one seeing indeede the others death should perceiue there was no dallying meant and then there was no doubt that a womans soule would do much rather then leaue so beautifull a body This being concluded Cecropia went to Philoclea and tolde her that now she was to come to the last part of the play for her part though she found her hard harted obstinacie such that neither the sweetnesse of louing meanes nor the force of hard meanes could preuaile with her yet before she would passe to a further degree of extremity she had sought to win her sister in hope that her sonne might be with time satisfied with the loue of so faire a Lady but finding her also rather more then lesse wilfull she was now minded that one of their deathes should serue for an example to the other that despising worthy folks was more hurtfull to the despiser then the despised that yet because her sonne especially affected her and that in her owne selfe she was more inclinable to pittie her then she had deserued she would begin with her sister who that afternoone should haue her head cut off before her face if in the meane time one of them did not pull out their il-wrought stiches of vnkindnes she bad her looke for no other nor longer time then she told her There was no assault giuen to the sweet Philocleas minde that entered so far as this for where to all paines and daungers of her selfe foresight with his Lieutenant Resolution had made ready defence now with the loue she bare her sister she was driuen to a stay before she determined but long she staied not before this reason did shine vnto her that since in herselfe she preferred death before such a base seruitude loue did teach her to wish the same to her sister Therefore crossing her armes and looking side-ward vpon the ground Do what you will said she with vs for my part heauen shall melt before I be remoued But if you will follow my counsell for your owne sake for as for praiers for my sake I haue felt how little they preuaile let my death first serue for example to win her who perchaunce is not so resolued against Amphialus and so shall you not onely iustly punish mee who indeede doo hate both you and your sonne but if that may mooue you you shall doo more vertuously in preseruing one most worthy of life and killing an other most desirous of death lastly in winning her in steed of a peeuish vnhappie creature that I am you shall blesse your sonne with the most excellent woman in all praise-worthy things that the world holdeth But Cecropia who had already set downe to her selfe what she would do with bitter both termes and countenaunce told her that she should not neede to woo death ouer-egerly â—or if her sister going before her did not teach her wit her selfe should quickly follow For since they were not to be gotten there was no way for her sonnes quiet but to knowe that they were past getting And so since no intreating nor threatning might preuayle she bad her prepare her eies for a new play which she should see within fewe houres in the hall of that castle A place indeed ouerfit for so vnfit a matter for being so stately made that the bottome of it being euen with the ground the roofe reached as hie as any part of the castle at either ende it had conuenient lodgings In the one ende was one storie from the ground Philocleas abode in the other of euen height Pamelas and Zelmanes in a chamber aboue her but all so vaulted of strong and thickly built stone as one could no way heare the other each of these chambers had a litle windowe to looke into the hall but because the sisters should not haue so much comforte as to looke one to another there was of the outsides curtaynes drawne which they could not reach with their hands so barring the reach of their sight But when the houre came that the Tragedie should beginne the curtaynes were withdrawen from before the windowes of Zelmane and of Philoclea a sufficient challenge to call their eyes to defende themselues in such an incounter And by and by came in at one ende of the hall with about a dozen armed souldiers a Ladie led by a couple with her handes bounde before her from aboue her eyes to her lippes muffled with a faire kerchiefe but from her mouth to the shoulders all bare and so was led on to a scaffold raised a good deale from the floore and all couered with crimsin veluet But neither Zelmane nor Philoclea needed to be tolde who she was for the apparell she ware made them too well assured that it was the admirable Pamela Whereunto the rare whitenesse of her naked necke gaue sufficient testimonie to their astonnished senses But the fayre Ladie being come to the scaffold and then made to kneele downe and so lefte by her vnkinde supporters as it seemed that she was about to speake somewhat whereunto Philoclea poore soule earnestly listned according to her speach euen minding to frame her minde her harte neuer till then almost wauering to saue her sisters life before the vnfortunate Ladie could pronounce three wordes the executioner cut off the ones speech and the others attention with making his sworde doo his cruell office vpon that beautifull necke Yet the pittilesse sworde had such pittie of so pretious an obiect that at first it did but hit flat long But little auailed that since the Ladie falling downe astonnished withall the cruell villayne forced the sworde with another blowe to diuorce the faire marriage of the head and body And this was done so in an instant that the very act did ouerrun Philocleas sorrow sorrow not being able so quickly to thunderbolt her harte thorough her senses but first
better perswaded when no body was by that had heard her say she would not bee perswaded then began first the eyes to speake and the harts to crie out Sorrow a while would nedees speake his owne language without vsing their tongues to be his interpreters At last Zelmane brake silence but spake with the onely eloquence of amazement for all her long methodized oratione was inherited onely by such kinde of speeches Deare Ladie in extreame necessities we must not But alas vnfortunate wretch that I am that I liue to see this daye And I take heauen and earth to witnesse that nothing and with that her brest swelled so with spite and griefe that her breath had not leasure to turne it selfe into words But the sweet Philoclea that had alredie dyed in Pamela of the other side had the heauines of her hart something quickned in the most beloued sight of Zelmane ghessed somewhat at Zelmanes mind and therefore spake vnto her in this sort My Pyrocles saide shee I knowe this exceeding comfort of your presence is not brought vnto mee for any good-will that is owned vnto mee but as I suppose to make you perswade me to saue my life with the ransome of mine honour although no bodie shoulde bee so vnfit a pleader in that cause as your selfe yet perchance you woulde haue me liue Your honour God forbid saide Zelmane that euer for any cause I should yeeld to any touch of it But a while to pretend some affection til time or my libertie might worke somthing for your seruice this if my astonished senses would giue me leaue I would faine haue perswaded you To what purpose my Pyrocles said Philoclea of a miserable time what gaine is there hath Pamelaes example wrought no more in mee is a captiue life so much worth can euer it goe out of these lips that I loue any other but Pyrocles shall my tongue bee so false a traitor to my hart as to say I loue any other but Pyrocles And why should I do all this to liue O Pamela sister Pamela why shoulde I liue onely for thy sake Pyrocles I would liue but to thee I know too well I shall not liue and if not to thee hath thy loue so base allay my Pyrocles as to wish mee to liue sor dissimulation my Pyrocles my simplicitie is such that I haue hardly bene able to keepe a straight way what shall I doo in a crooked But in this case there is no meane of dissimulation not for the cunningest present answere is required and present performance vpon the answere Art thou so terrible ô Death No my Pyrocles and for that I doo thanke thee and in my soule thanke thee for I confesse the loue of thee is heerein my chiefest vertue Trouble mee not therefore deare Pyrocles nor double not my death by tormenting my resolution since I cannot liue with thee I will dye for thee Onely remember me deare Pyrocles and loue the remembrance of mee if I may craue so much of thee let me be thy last loue for though I be not worthy of thee who indeed art the worthiest creature liuing yet remember that my loue was a worthy loue But Pyrocles was so ouercome with sorrow which wisdome and vertue made iust in so excellent a Ladies case full of so excellent kindnes that words were ashamed to come forth knowing how weak they were to expresse his mind and her merit and therefore so stayed in a deadly silence forsaken of hope and forsaking comfort till the appointed gardians came in to see the fruits of Zelmanes labour and then Zelmane warned by their presence fell againe to perswade though scarcely her selfe could tell what but in sum desirous of delayes But Philoclea sweetly continuing constant and in the end punishing her importunity with silence Zelmane was faine to ende Yet crauing an other times conference shee obtained it and diuers others till at the last Cecropia founde it was to no purpose and therefore determined to follow her owne way Zelmane yet still desirous to win by any meanes respit euen wasted with sorrow and vncertaine whether in worse case in her presence or absence being able to doo nothing for Philocleas succour but by submitting the greatest corage of the earth to fall at the feete of Cecropia and craue stay of their sentence til the vttermost was seene what her perswasions might doo Cecropia seemed much to bee moued by her importunitie so as diuers dayes were wonne of painefull life to the excellent Philoclea while Zelmane suffred some hope to cherrish her minde especially trusting vpon the helpe of Musidorus who shee knew woulde not bee idle in this matter till one morning a noise awaked Zelmane from whose ouer-watchfull mind the tired body had stolne a little sleep streight with the first opening of her eyes Care taking his woonted place she ranne to the window which looked into the hall for that way the noise guided her and there might shee see the curtaine being left open euer since the last execution seuen or eight persons in a cluster vpon the scaffold who by and by retiring themselues nothinge was to bee seene thereupon but a basan of golde pittifully enameled with bloud and in the midst of it the head of the most beautifull Philoclea The horriblenes of the mischiefe was such as Pyrocles coulde not at first beleeue his owne senses but bent his woefull eyes to discerne it better where too well hee might see it was Philocleas selfe hauing no veile but beautie ouer the face which still appeared to be aliue so did those eyes shine euen as they were woont and they were woont more then any other and sometimes as they moued it might well make the beholder think that death therein had borowed her beautie and not they any way disgraced by death so sweet and pearsing a grace they caried with them It was not a pitie it was not an amazement it was not a sorrow which then laid hold on Pyrocles but a wilde furie of desperate agonie so that hee cried out O tyraunt heauen traytor earth blinde prouidence no iustice howe is this done how is this suffered hath this worlde a gouernment If it haue let it poure out all his mischiefes vpon mee and see whether it haue power to make mee more wrecthed then I am Did she excell for this haue I prayed for this abhominable hande that did it detestable deuill that commaunded it cursed light that beheld it and if the light be cursed what are then mine eyes that haue seene it And haue I seene Philoclea dead and doo I liue and haue I liued not to helpe her but to talke of her and stande I still talking And with that caried with the madnes of anguish not hauing a redier waye to kill himselfe hee ranne as hard as euer hee coulde with his head against the wall with intention to braine himselfe but the haste to do it made the doing the slower For as hee came to
to me that he would kill his mother if hee knewe how I had bene dealt with but that Cecropia keepes him from vnderstanding thinges howe they passe onely hauing heard a whispering and my selfe named he had of aboundaunce forsooth of honorable loue giuen this charge for vs. Whereupon this enlargement of mine was growne for my parte I know too well their cunning who leaue no mony vnoffered that may buy mine honour to beleeue any word they say but my deare Pyrocles euen looke for the worste and prepare my selfe for the same Yet I must confesse I was content to robbe from death and borrowe of my misery the sweet comfort of seeing my sweet sister and most sweete comfort of thee my Pyrocles And so hauing leaue I came stealing into your chamber where O Lord what a ioy it was vnto me to heare you solemnise the funerals of the poore Philoclea That I my selfe might liue to heare my death bewailed and by whom by my deere Pyrocles That I saw death was not strong enough to diuide thy loue from me O my Pyrocles I am too well paide for my paines I haue suffred ioyfull is my woe for so noble a cause and welcome be all miseries since to thee I am so welcome Alas how I pittied to heare thy pittie of me and yet a great while I could not finde in my hart to interrupt thee but often had euen pleasure to weepe with thee and so kindly came forth thy lamentations that they inforced me to lament to as if indeed I had beene a looker on to see poore Philoclea dye Till at last I spake with you to try whether I could remoue thee from sorrow till I had almost procured my selfe a beating And with that she pretily smiled which mingled with her teares one could not tell whether it were a mourning pleasure or a delightfull sorrow but like when a few Aprill drops are scattered by a gentle Zephyrus among fine coloured flowers But Pyrocles who had felt with so small distance of time in himselfe the ouerthrow both of hope and despaire knew not to what key he should tune his mind either of ioy or sorrow But finding perfite reason in neither suffred himself to be caried by the tide of his imagination and his imaginations to be raised euen by the sway which hearing or seing might giue vnto them he saw her aliue he was glad to see her aliue he saw her weep he was sory to see her weep he heard her comfortable speches nothing more gladsome he hard her prognosticating her own destruction nothing more dolefull But when he had a little taken breath from the panting motion of such contrarietie in passions he fell to consider with her of her present estate both comforting her that certainely the worst of this storme was past since alreadie they had done the worst which mans wit could imagine and that if they had determined to haue killed her now they would haue done it and also earnestly counselling her and inhabling his counsels with vehement prayers that she would so far second the hopes of Amphialus as that she might but procure him liberty promising then as much to her as the liberalitie of louing corage durst promise to himselfe But who would liuely describe the manner of these speeches should paint out the lightsome coulours of affection shaded with the deepest shadowes of sorrow finding then betweene hope and feare a kind of sweetenes in teares till Philoclea content to receaue a kisse and but a kisse of Pyrocles sealed vp his mouing lips and closed them vp in comfort and her-selfe for the passage was left betweene them open went to her sister with whom she had stayed but a while fortifying one another while Philoclea tempered Pamelas iust disdaine and Pamela ennobled Philocleas sweet humblenesse when Amphialus cam vnto them who neuer since he had heard Philoclea named could bee quiet in himselfe although none of them about him fearing more his mothers violence then his power would discouer what had passed and many messages he sent to know her estate which brought answeres backe according as it pleased Cecropia to indite them till his hart full of vnfortunate affection more and more misgiuing him hauing impatiently borne the delay of the nights vnfitnesse this morning he gat vp and though full of woundes which not without daunger could suffer such exercise he apparelled himselfe and with a countenance that shewed strength in nothing but in griefe he came where the sisters were and weakely kneeling downe he besought them to pardon him if they had not bene vsed in that castle according to their worthines and his duetie beginning to excuse small matters poore Gentleman not knowing in what sort they had bene handled But Pamelaes hye hart hauing conceiued mortall hate for the iniurie offred to her and her sister could scarcely abide his sight much lesse heare out his excuses but interrupted him with these words Traitor said she to thine owne blood and false to the profession of so much loue as thou hast vowed doo not defile our eares with thy excuses but pursue on thy crueltie that thou and thy godly mother haue vsed towards vs for my part assure thy selfe and so do I answere for my sister whose mind I know I do not more desire mine owne safetie then thy destruction Amazed with this speech he turned his eye full of humble sorrowfulnes to Philoclea And is this most excellent Ladie your doome of me also She sweete Ladie sate weeping for as her most noble kinsman she had euer fauoured him and loued his loue though she could not be in loue with his person and now partly vnkindnes of his wrong partly pittie of his case made her sweete mind yeeld some teares before she could answere and her answere was no other but that she had the same cause as her sister had He replyed no further but deliuering from his hart two or three vntaught sighes rose and with most low reuerence went out of their chamber and streight by threatning torture learned of one of the women in what terrible manner those Princesses had bene vsed But when he heard it crying out O God and then not able to say any more for his speech went backe to rebound woe vpon his hart he needed no iudge to goe vpon him for no man could euer thinke any other worthy of greater punishment then he thought himselfe Full therefore of the horriblest despaire which a most guiltie conscience could breed with wild lookes promising some terrible issue vnderstanding his mother was vpon the top of the leades he caught one of his seruants swords from him and none of them daring to stay him he went vp carried by furie in steede of strength where she was at that time musing how to goe thorough with this matter and resoluing to make much of her Neeces in shew and secreatly to impoison them thinking since they were not to be wonne her sonnes loue would no otherwise be mitigated But
mediation of necessitie to a breathing time of truce being withdrawen a little one froÌ„ the other Anaxius stood leaning vpon his sword with his grim eye so setled vpon Zelmane as is wont to be the looke of an earnest thought Which Zelmane marking and according to the Pyroclean nature fuller of gay brauerie in the midst then in the beginning of danger What is it said she Anaxius that thou so deeply musest on Dooth thy brothers example make thee thinke of thy fault past or of thy comming punishment I thinke said he what spitefull God it should be who enuying my glory hath brought me to such a wayward case that neither thy death can be a reuenge nor thy ouerthrow a victorie Thou doost well indeed said Zelmane to impute thy case to the heauenly prouidence which will haue thy pride finde it selfe euen in that whereof thou art most proud punished by the weake sex which thou most contemnest But then hauing sufficiently rested themselues they renewed againe their combatte farre more terribly then before like nimble vaulters who at the first and second leape doo but stirre and as it were awake the fierie and aërie partes which after in the other leapes they doo with more excellencie exercise For in this pausing ech had brought to his thoughts the maner of the others fighting and the aduantages which by that and by the qualitie of their weapons they might worke themselues and so againe repeated the lesson they had said before more perfectly by the vsing of it Anaxius oftner vsed blowes his huge force as it were more delighting therein and the large protection of his shield animating him vnto it Pyrocles of a more fine and deliuer strength watching his time when to giue fitte thrustes as with the quick obeying of his bodie to his eyes quicke commaundement he shunned any harme Anaxius could do to him so would he soone haue made an end of Anaxius if he had not found him a man of wonderfull and almost matchlesse excellency in matters of armes Pyrocles vsed diuers faynings to bring Anaxius on into some inconuenience But Anaxius keeping a sound maner of fighting neuer offered but seeing faire cause and then followed it with wel-gouerned violence Thus spent they a great time striuing to doo and with striuing to doo wearying themselues more then with the very doing Anaxius finding Zelmane so neere vnto him that with little motion he might reach her knitting all his strength together at that time mainly foyned at her face But Zelmane strongly putting it by with her right hand sword comming in with her left foote and hand would haue giuen a sharpe visitation to his right side but that he was faine to leape awaye Whereat ashamed as hauing neuer done so much before in his life How this combate ended how the Ladies by the comming of the discouered forces were deliuered and restored to Basilius and how Dorus againe returned to his old master Damaetas is altogether vnknowne What aâ—terward chaunced out of the Authors owne writings and conceits hath bene supplied as foloweth AFter that Basilius according to the oracles promise had receiued home his daughters and settled himselfe againe in his solitary course and accustomed company there passed not many dayes ere the now fully recomforted Dorus hauing waited a time of Zelmanes walking alone towards her little Arbor tooke leaue of his master Damaetas husbandry to follow her Neere whervnto ouertaking her and sitting downe together among the sweet flowers whereof that place was very plentifull vnder the pleasant shade of a broad leaued Sycamor they recounted one to another their strange pilgrimage of passions omitting nothing which the open harted frendship is wont to lay forth where there is cause to coÌ„municate both ioyes sorows for indeed ther is no sweeter tast of frendship then the coupling of soules in this mutualitie either of condoling or comforting where the oppressed minde findes itself not altogether miserable since it is sure of one which is feelingly sory for his misery and the ioyfull spends not his ioy either alone or there where it may be enuyed but may freely send it to such a well grounded obiect from whence he shall be sure to receiue a sweete reflection of the same ioye and as in a cleere mirror of sincere good will see a liuely picture of his owne gladnes But after much discourse on eyther parte Dorus his hearte scarce seruing him to come to the pointe wherevnto his then comming had bene wholie directed as loth in the kindest sorte to discouer to his friend his owne vnkindnes at length one word emboldening another made knowne to Zelmane how Pamela vpon his vehement othe to offer no force vnto her till hee had inuested her in the Duchie of Thessalia had condiscended to his stealing her awaie to the next sea porte That besides the straunge humors she sawe her father more and more falling into and vnreasonable restraint of her libertie whereof she knewe no cause but light grounded iealosies added to the hate of that manner of life and confidence she had in his vertue the chiefest reason had wonne her to this was the late daunger she stoode in of loosing him the like whereof not vnlike to fall if this course were continued she chose rather to dye then againe to vndergoe That now they wayted for nothing else but some fit time for their escape by the absence of their three lothsome companions in whome follie ingendred suspicion And therefore now sayd Dorus my deere Cozen to whome nature began my friendship education confirmed it and vertue hath made it eternall heere haue I discoueâ—ed the very foundacion wherevpon my life is built bee you the Iudge betwixt mee aâ—d my fortune The violence of loue is not vnknowne to you And I knowe mâ— case shall neuer want pittie in your consideration How all the ioyes of my hearte doo leaue mee in thinking I must for a time be absent from you the eternall truth is witnesse vnto mee I knowe I should not so sensiblie feele the pangs of my last departure But this enchantment of my restlesse desire hath such authoritye in my selfe aboue my selfe that I am become a slaue vnto it I haue no more freedome in mine owne determinacions My thoughtes are now all bent how to carrie awaie my burdenous blisse Yet most beloued Cozen rather then I should thinke I doo heerein violate that holie bande of true friendship wherein I vnworthie am knit vnto you commaund mee stay Perchaunce the force of your commaundement may worke such impression into my hearte that no reason of mine owne can imprint into it For the Gods forbid the foule word of abandoning Pyrocles might euer be obiected to the faithfull Musidorus But if you can spare my presence whose presence no way serues you and by the diuision of these two Lodges is not oft with you nay if you can thinke my absence may as it shall stand you in stead by bringing such an armye hither as
she where the desire is such as may be obtained and the partie well deseruing as your selfe it must be a great excuse that may well cullour a deniall but when the first motion carries with it a direct impossibilitie then must the only answere be comfort without helpe and sorrow to both parties to you not obtaining to me not able to graunt O sayd Gynecia how good leisure you haue to frame these scornefull answeres Is Ginecia thus to be despised am I so vile a worme in your sight no no trust to it hard harted tigre I will not be the only Actor of this Tragedy since I must fall I will presse downe some others with my ruines since I must burne my spitefull neighbors shall feele of my fire Doest thou not perceaue that my diligent eyes haue pierced through the clowdie maske of thy desguisemēt Haue I not told thee ô foole if I were not much more foole that I know thou wouldest abuse vs with thy outward shew Wilt thou still attend the rage of loue in a womans hart the girle thy well chosen mistresse perchaunce shall defend thee when Basilius shal know how thou hast sotted his minde with falsehood and falsely sought the dishonour of his house Beleeue it beleeue it vnkind creature I will end my miseries with a notable example of reuenge and that accursed cradle of mine shal feele the smart of my wound thou of thy tiranny and lastly I confesse my selfe of mine owne work Zelmane that had long before doubted her selfe to be discouered by her and now plainely finding it was as the prouerbe saith like them that hold the wolfe by the eares bitten while they hold and slaine if they loose If she held her off in these wonted termes she sawe rage would make her loue worke the effects of hate to graunt vnto her her hart was so bounde vpon Philoclea it had ben worse then a thousand deaths Yet found she it was necessarie for her to come to a resolution for Gynecias sore could bide no leasure and once discouered besides the dāger of Philoclea her desires should be for euer vtterly stopped She remēbred withall the words of Basilius how apt he was to leaue this life returne to his court a great barre to her hopes Lastly she considered Dorus enterprise might bring some strange alteration of this their well liked fellowship So that encompassed with these instant difficulties she bent her spirits to thinke of a remedie which might at once both saue her from them and serue her to the accomplishment of her only pursuite Lastly she determined thus that there was no way but to yeeld to the violence of their desires since striuing did the more chafe them And that following their owne current at length of it selfe it would bring her to the other side of her burning desires Now in the meane while the diuided Dorus long diuided betwene loue and frendship and now for his loue diuided frō his frend though indeed without preiudice of frendships loyaltie which doth neuer barre the minde from his free satisfaction yet still a cruell iudge ouer himselfe thought he was somewayes faultie and applied his minde how to amend it with a speedie and behouefull returne But then was his first studie how to get away whereto already he had Pamelas consent confirmed and concluded vnder the name of Mopsa in her owne presence Dorus taking this way that whatsoeuer he would haue of Pamela he would aske her whether in such a case it were not best for Mopsa so to behaue her selfe in that sort making Mopsas enuie an instrument of that she did enuie So hauing passed ouer his first and most feared difficultie he busied his spirites how to come to the haruest of his desires whereof he had so faire a shew And therevnto hauing gotten leaue for some dayes of his maister Damaetas who now accompted him as his sonne in lawe he romed round about the desart to finde some vnknowne way that might bring him to the next Sea port as much as might be out of all course of other passengers which all very well succeeding him and he hauing hired a Bark for his liues traffick and prouided horsses to carrie her thither returned homeward now come to the last point of his care how to goe beyond the loathsome watchfulnes of these three vncomely companions and therin did wisely consider how they were to be taken with whom he had to deale remembring that in the particularities of euery bodies mind fortune there are particuler aduantages by which they are to be held The muddy mind of Damaetas he found most easily sturred with couetousnes The curst mischeuous hart of Miso most apt to be tickled with iealousie as whose rotten brain could think wel of no body But yong mistres Mopsa who could open her eys vpon nothing that did not all to bewonder her he thought curiositie the fittest bait for her And first for Damaetas Dorus hauing imploid a whole days work about a tenne mile off from the lodge quite contrary way to that he ment to take with Pamela in digging opening the ground vnder an auncient oke that stood there in such sort as might longest hold Damaetas greedy hopes in some shewe of comfort he came to his master with a countenance mixt betwixt cherefulnes and haste and taking him by the right hand as if he had a great matter of secrecie to reueale vnto him Master said he I did neuer thinke that the gods had appointed my mind freely brought vp to haue so longing a desire to serue you but that they minded therby to bring some extraordinary frute to one so beloued of them as your honesty makes me think you are This bindes me euen in conscience to disclose that which I perswade my self is alotted vnto you that your fortune may be of equal ballance with your deserts He said no further because he would let Damaetas play vpon the bit a while who not vnderstanding what his words entended yet well finding they caried no euil news was so much the more desirous to know the matter as he had free scope to imagin what measure of good hap himselfe would Therefore putting off his cap to him which he had neuer done before assuring him he should haue Mopsa though she had bene all made of cloath of gold he besought Dorus not to hold him long in hope for that he found it a thing his hart was not able to beare Maister answered Dorus you haue so satisfied me with promising me the vttermost of my desired blisse that if my duty bound me not I were in it sufficiently rewarded To you therefore shall my good hap be conuerted and the fruite of all my labor dedicated Therewith he told him how vnder an auncient oke the place he made him easily vnderstand by sufficient marks he gaue vnto him he had found digging but a little depth scatteringly lying a great number of rich Medailles and that percing further into the
then my longe suite is signde You none can clayme but you your selfe aright For you do passe your selfe in vertues might So both are yours I bound with gaged harte You onely yours too farr beyond desarte In this vertuous wantonnes suffering their mindes to descend to each tender enioying their vnited thoughts Pamela hauing tasted of the fruites and growinge extreame sleepie hauing ben long kept from it with the perplexitie of her dangerous attempte laying her head in his lappe was inuited by him to sleepe with these softly vttered verses LOcke vp faire liddes the treasure of my harte Preserue those beames this ages onely lighte To her sweete sence sweete sleepe some ease imparte Her sence too weake to beare her spirits mighte And while ô sleepe thou closest vp her sight Her sight where loue did forge his fayrest darte ô harbour all her partes in easefull plighte Let no strange dreme make her fayre body start◠But yet ô dreame if thou wilt not departe In this rare subiect from the common right But wilt thy selfe in such a seate delighte Then take my shape and play a louers parte Kisse her from me and say vnto her spirite Till her eyes shine I liue in darkest night The sweete Pamela was brought into a sweete sleepe with this songe which gaue Musidorus opportunity at leasure to beholde her excellent beauties He thought her faire forehead was a fielde where all his fancies fought and euery haire of her heade semed a strong chain thattied him Her fairer liddes then hiding her fairer eyes seemed vnto him sweete boxes of mother of pearle riche in themselues but contaning in them farre richer Iewells Her cheekes with their coullour most delicately mixed would haue entertained his eyes somewhile but that the roses of her lippes whose separating was wont to bee accompanied with most wise speeches nowe by force drewe his sight to marke how preatily they lay one ouer the other vniting their deuided beauties and thorough them the eye of his fancy deliuered to his memorie the lying as in ambush vnder her lippes of those armed rankes all armed in most pure white and keeping the most precise order of military discipline And lest this beautie might seeme the picture of some excellent artificer fourth there stale a softe breath carying good testimony of her inward sweetnesse and so stealingly it came out as it seemed loath to leaue his contentfull mansion but that it hoped to bee drawne in againe to that well cloased paradise which did so tyrannize ouer Musidorus affectes that hee was compelled to put his face as lowe to hers as hee coulde sucking the breath with such ioye that he did determine in himselfe there had ben no life to a Camaeleons if he might be suffered to enioye that foode But long hee was not suffered being within a while interrupted by the comming of a company of clownish vilaines armed with diuers sortes of weapons and for the rest both in face and apparell so forewasted that they seemed to beare a great conformity with the sauages who miserable in themselues taught to encrease their mischieues in other bodies harmes came with such cries as they both awaked Pamela and made Musidorus turne vnto them full of a most violent rage with the looke of a shee Tigree when her whelpes are stolne away But Zelmane whome I left in the Caue hardly bestead hauing both great wittes and sturring passions to deale with makes me lend her my penne a while to see with what dexteritie she could put by her daungers For hauing in one instant both to resist rage and goe beyond wisedome being to deale with a Ladie that had her witts a wake in euery thing but in helping her owne hurte she saw now no other remedy in her case but to qualifie her rage with hope and to satisfie her witt with plainesse Yet lest to abrupt falling into it shoulde yeelde too great aduantage vnto her shee thought good to come to it by degrees with this kind of insinuation Your wise but very darke speeches most excellent Lady are wouen vp in so intricate a maner as I know not how to proportiō mine answere vnto thē so are your prayers mixte with threates and so is the shew of your loue hidden with the name of reuenge the natural effect of mortal hatred You seeme displeased with the opinion you haue of my disguising and yet if bee not disguised you must needes be much more displeased Hope then the only succour of perplexed mindes being quite cut off you desire my affection and yet you your selfe thinke my affection already bestowed You pretend crueltie before you haue the subiection and are iealous of keeping that which as yet you haue not gotten And that which is strangest in your iealousie is both the vniustice of it in being loath that should come to your daughter which you deeme good and the vaynnesse since you two are in so diuers respects that there is no necessitie one of you should fall to be a barre to the other For neyther if I be such as you fancie can I mary you which must needes be the only ende I can aspire to in her neither neede the maryeng of her keepe me from a gratefull consideracion how much you honor me in the loue you vouchsafe to beare me Gynaecia to whome the fearefull agonies she still liued in made any small repriuall sweete did quickly finde her words falling to a better way of comfort and therefore with a minde readie to shewe nothing could make it rebellious against Zelmane but to extreme tyrannie she thus sayd Alas too much beloued Zelmane the thoughts are but outflowings of the minde and the tongue is but a seruant of the thoughtes therefore maruaile not that my words suffer contrarieties since my minde doth hourely suffer in it selfe whole armyes of mortall aduersaries But alas if I had the vse of mine owne reason then should I not neede for want of it to finde my selfe in this desperate mischiefe but because my reason is vanished so haue I likewise no power to correct my vnreasonablenes Do you therefore accept the protection of my minde which hath no other resting place and driue it not by being vnregarded to put it selfe into vnknowne extremities I desire but to haue my affection answered and to haue a right reflection of my loue in you That graunted assure your selfe mine owne loue will easily teach me to seeke your contentment and make me thinke my daughter a very meane price to keepe still in mine eyes the foode of my spirits But take heede that contempt driue me not into despaire the most violent cause of that miserable effect Zelmane that alreadie sawe some fruite of her last determined fancie so farre as came to a mollifyeng of Gynecias rage seeing no other way to satisfye suspicion which was help open with the continuall prickes of loue resolued now with plainnesse to winne trust which trust she might after deceyue with a greater subtletie Therefore looking
vpon her with a more relenting grace then euer she had done before pretending a great bashfulnes before she could come to confesse such a fault she thus sayde vnto her Most worthye Ladye I did neuer thinke till now that pittie of another coulde make me betray my selfe nor that the sounde of wordes could ouerthrow any wise bodies determinacion But your words I thinke haue charmed me and your grace bewitched me Your compassion makes me open my hart to you and leaue vnharboured mine owne thoughts For proofe of it I will disclose my greatest secreate which well you might suspect but neuer knowe and so haue your wandring hope in a more painefull wildernesse being neither way able to be lodged in a perfect resolucion I will I say vnwrappe my hidden estate and after make you iudge of it perchance director The truth is I am a man nay I will say further to you I am borne a Prince And to make vp youre minde in a through vnderstanding of mee since I came to this place I may not denye I haue had some sprinkling of I knowe not what good liking to my Lady Philoclea For howe coulde I euer imagine the heauens woulde haue rayned downe so much of your fauour vpon me and of that side there was a shewe of possible hope the most comfortable Counsellor of loue The cause of this my chaunged attyre was a iourney two yeares agoe I made among the Amazons where hauing sought to trye my vnfortunate valure I met not one in all the Countrey but was too harde for me till in the ende in the presence of their Queene Marpesia I hoping to preuayle agaynst her challenged an olde woman of fourescore yeares to fight on horssebacke to the vttermost with me Who hauing ouerthrowne me for the sauing of my life made me sweare I should goe like an vnarmed Amazon till the comming of my beard did with the discharge of my oath deliuer me of that bondage Here Zelmane ended not comming to a full conclusion because she would see what it wrought in Gynecias minde hauing in her speech sought to winne a beliefe of her and if it might be by disgrace of her selfe to diminish Gynecias affection For the first it had much preuailed But Gynecia whose ende of louing her was not her fighting neyther could her loue too deepely grounded receiue diminishment and besides she had seene herselfe sufficient proofes of Zelmanes admirable prowesse Therefore sleightly passing ouer that poynt of her fayned dishonor but taking good hold of the confessing her manly sexe with the shamefaste looke of that suitor who hauing already obtayned much is yet forced by want to demaunde more put foorth her sorrowfull suite in these words The gods sayd she rewarde thee for thy vertuouse pittie of my ouerladen soule who yet hath receyued some breath of comfort by finding thy confession to maintayne some possibilitie of my languishing hope But alas as they who seeke to enrich themselues by minerall industrie the first labour is to finde the myne which to their cheerefull comfort being founde if after any vnlooked for stop or casuall impediment keepe them from getting the desired vre they are so much the more greeued as the late conceaued hope addes torment to their former wante So falles it out with mee happie or happlesse woman as it pleaseth you to ordayne who am now either to receyue some guerdon of my most wofull labours or to returne into a more wretched darkenes hauing had some glimmering of my blisfull Sunne O Zelmane tread not vpon a soule that lyes vnder your foote let not the abasing of my selfe make me more base in your eyes but iudge of me according to that I am and haue bene and let my errors be made excusable by the immortall name of loue With that vnder a fayned rage tearing her clothes she discouered some partes of her fayre body which if Zelmanes harte had not bene so fully possest as there was no place left for any new guest no doubt it would haue yelded to that gallant assault But Zelmane so much the more arming her determination as she sawe such force threatened yet still remembring she must wade betwixt constancie and curtesey embracing Gynecia and once or twise kissing her Deare Ladie sayd she he were a great enemy to himselfe that would refuse such an offer in the purchase of which a mans life were blessedly bestowed Nay how can I euer yeeld due recompence for so excessiue a fauour but hauing nothing to geue you but my selfe take that I must confesse a small but a very free gift what other affection soeuer I haue had shall geue place to as great perfection working besides vppon the bonde of gratefulnes The gods forbid I should be so foolish as not to see or so wicked as not to remember how much my small deserts are ouerballanced by your vnspeakeable goodnes Nay happye may I well accompt my mishap among the Amazons since that dishonor hath bene so true a path to my greatest honor and the chaunging of my outward rayment hath clothed my minde in such inwarde contentacion Take therefore noble Lady as much comfort to youre harte as the full commandement of me can yeeld you wipe your faire eyes and keepe them for nobler seruices And nowe I will presume thus much to saye vnto you that you make of your selfe for my sake that my ioyes of my new obtayned riches may be accomplished in you But let vs leaue this place least you be too long missed and henceforward quiet your minde from any further care for I will now to my too much ioye take the charge vpon me within fewe dayes to worke your satisfaction and my felicitie Thus much she sayde and withall led Gynecia out of the Caue for well she sawe the boyling minde of Gynecia did easily apprehende the fitnesse of that lonely place But in deede this direct promise of a short space ioyned with the cumbersome familiar of womankinde I meane modestie stayed so Gynecias minde that she tooke thus much at that present for good payment remayning with a paynefull ioye and a wearysome kinde of comfort not vnlike to the condemned prisoner whose minde still running vppon the violent arriuall of his cruell death heares that his pardon is promised but not yet signed In this sort they both issued out of that obscure mansion Gynecia already halfe perswaded in her selfe ô weakenes of humane conceite that Zelmanes affection was turned towards her For such alas we are all in such a mould are we cast that with the too much loue we beare our selues beeing first our owne flatterers wee are easily hooked with our owne flattery we are easily perswaded of others loue But Zelmane who had now to playe her prize seeing no waye thinges could long remayne in that state and now finding her promise had tyed her tryall to a small compasse of tyme began to throwe her thoughtes into each corner of her inuention howe shee might atchieue
her liues enterprise for well shee knewe deceite cannot otherwise be mayntayned but by deceite and how to deceyue such heedfull eyes and how to satisfye and yet not satisfye such hopefull desires it was no small skill But both their thoughtes were called from themselues with the sight of Basilius who then lying downe by his daughter Philoclea vppon the fayre though naturall bed of greene-grasse seeing the sunne what speede hee made to leaue our West to doo his office in the other Hemisphere his inwarde Muses made him in his best musicke sing this Madrigall WHy doost thou haste away O Titan faire the giuer of the daie Is it to carry newes To Westerne wightes what starres in East appeare Or doost thou thinke that heare Is left a Sunne whose beames thy place may vse Yet stay and well peruse What be her giftes that make her equall thee Bend all thy light to see In earthly clothes enclosde a heauenly sparke Thy running course cannot such beawties marke No no thy motions bee Hastened from vs with barre of shadow darke Because that thou the author of our sight Disdainst we see thee staind with others light And hauing ended Deere Philoclea said he sing something that may diuerte my thoughts from the continuall taske of their ruinous harbour She obedient to him and not vnwilling to disburden her secret passion made her sweete voice be heard in these words O Stealing time the subiect of delaie Delay the racke of vnrefram'd desire What strange dessein hast thou my hopes to staie My hopes which do but to mine owne aspire Mine owne ô word on whose sweete sound doth pray My greedy soule with gripe of inward fire Thy title great I iustlie chalenge may Since in such phrase his faith he did attire O time become the chariot of my ioyes As thou drawest on so let my blisse draw neere Each moment lost part of my hap destroyes Thou art the father of occasion deare Ioyne with thy sonne to ease my long annoy's In speedie helpe thanke worthie frends appeare Philoclea brake off her Song as soone as her mother with Zelmane came neere vnto them rising vp with a kindly bashfulnes being not ignorant of the spite her mother bare her and stricken with the sight of that person whose loue made all those troubles seeme fayre flowers of her deerest garlond Nay rather all those troubles made the loue encrease For as the arriuall of enemyes makes a towne so fortifye it selfe as euer after it remaynes stronger so that a man may say enemyes were no small cause to the townes strength So to a minde once fixed in a well pleased determinacion who hopes by annoyance to ouerthrowe it doth but teach it to knit together all his best grounds and so perchance of a chaunceable purpose make an vnchangeable resolucion But no more Philoclea see the wonted signes of Zelmanes affection towardes her she thought she sawe an other light in her eyes with a bould and carelesse looke vpon her which was wont to be dazeled with her beawtie and the framing of her courtesyes rather ceremonious then affectionate and that which worst liked her was that it proceeded with such quiet setlednes as it rather threatned a full purpose then any sodayne passion She founde her behauiour bent altogether to her mother and presumed in her selfe she discerned the well acquainted face of his fancies now turned to another subiecte She sawe her mothers worthines and too well knewe her affection These ioyning theyr diuers working powers together in her minde but yet a prentise in the paynefull misterye of passions brought Philoclea into a newe trauers of her thoughtes and made her keepe her carefull looke the more attentiue vppon Zelmanes behauiour who in deede though with much payne and condemning her selfe to commit a sacriledge against the sweete saincte that liued in her in most Temple yet strengthening herselfe in it beeing the surest waye to make Gynecia bite off her other baytes did so quite ouerrule all wonted showes of loue to Philoclea and conuert them to Gynecia that the parte she played did worke in both a full and liuely perswasion to Gynecia such excessiue comforte as the beeing preferred to a riuall doth deliuer to swelling desire But to the delicate Philoclea whose calme thoughtes were vnable to nourish any strong debate it gaue so stinging a hurt that fainting vnder the force of her inwarde torment she withdrewe her selfe to the Lodge and there wearye of supporting her owne burden cast her selfe vppon her bed suffering her sorrowe to melt it selfe into abundance of teares at length closing her eyes as if eache thing she sawe was a picture of her mishap and turning vpon her hurtside which with vehement panting did summon her to consider her fortune she thus bemoned her selfe Alas Philoclea is this the price of all thy paynes Is this the rewarde of thy giuen awaye libertye Hath too much yeelding bred crueltye or can too greate acquaintance make mee helde for a straunger Hath the choosing of a companion made mee lefte alone or doth graunting desire cause the desire to bee neglected Alas despised Philoclea why diddest thou not holde thy thoughtes in theyr simple course and content thy â—elfe with the loue of thy owne vertue which would neuer haue betrayed thee Ah sillie foole diddest thou looke for truth in him that with his owne mouth confest his falsehood for playne proceeding in him that still goes disguised They say the falsest men will yet beare outward shewes of a pure minde But he that euen outwardly beares the badge of treacherie what hells of wickednes must needes in the depth be contayned But ô wicked mouth of mine how darest thou thus blaspheme the ornament of the earth the vessell of all vertue O wretch that I am that will anger the gods in dispraysing their most excellent worke O no no there was no fault but in me that could euer thinke so high eyes would looke so lowe or so great perfections would stayne themselues with my vnworthines Alas why could I not see I was too weake a band to tye so heauenly a hart I was not fit to limit the infinite course of his wonderfull destenies Was it euer like that vpon only Philoclea his thoughtes should rest Ah silly soule that couldst please thy selfe with â—o impossible an imagination An vniuersall happines is to flowe from him How was I so inueagled to hope I might be the marke of such a minde He did thee no wrong ô Philoclea he did thee no wrong it was thy weakenes to fancie the beames of the sonne should giue light to no eyes but thine And yet ô Prince Pirocles for whome I may well begin to hate my selfe but can neuer leaue to loue thee what triumph canst thou make of this conquest what spoiles wilt thou carry away of this my vndeserued ouerthrow could thy force finde out no fitter field then the feeble minde of a poore mayde who at the first sight did wish thee all
heauinesse which easely clothes it selfe in sleepe So as laid downe so neare the beautie of the worlde Philoclea that their neckes were subiect each to others chaste embracements it seemed loue had come thither to laye a plott in that picture of death how gladly if death came their soules would goe together The thirde Egloges THyrsis not with many painted words nor falsified promises had wone the consent of his beloued Kala but with a true simple making her know he loued her not forcing himselfe beyond his reach to buy her affection but giuing her such preatie presentes as neither coulde wearie him with the giuing nor shame her for the taking Thus the first Strawberies he could find were euer in a cleane washt dish sent to Kala thus poesies of the spring flowers were wrapt vp in a litle grene silke and dedicated to Kalas brestes thus somtimes his sweetest Creame sometimes the best Cakebread his mother made were reserued for Kalas taste Neither would hee stick to kil a lamb when she would be content to come ouer the way vnto him But theÌ„ lo how the house was swept rather no fire theÌ„ any smoke lefte to trouble her Then loue songes were not daintie when she would heare them and as much manerlie silence when shee would not in going to Church great worship to Kala. So that all the parish said neuer a maide they knew so well wayted on and when dauncing was about the Maypole no body taken out but she and he after a leape or two to shewe her his owne actiuitie woulde frame all the rest of his dauncing onely to grace her As for her fathers sheepe he had no lesse care of them then his owne so that she might play her as she would warranted with honest Thyrsis carefulnes But if he spied Kala fauourd any one of the flocke more then his fellowes then that was cherished shearing him so when shorne he must be as might most become him but while the wole was on wrapping within it â—â—me verses wherin Thyrsis had a speciall gifte and making the innocent beast his vnweting messinger Thus constantly continuing though he were none of the fayrest at length he wanne Kalas harte the honestest wenche in all those quarters And so with consent of both parents without which nether Thyrsis would aske nor Kala grant their marring day was appointed which because it fell out in this time I thinke it shall not be impertinent to remember a little our shepheards while the other greater persons are either sleeping or otherwise troubled Thyrsis mariage time once knowne there needed no inuiting of the neighbours in that valley for so well was Thyrsis beloued that they were already to doe him credit neither yet came they like Harpies to deuoure him but on bought a fat pigge the other a tender kidd the thirde a great goose as for chese milke butter were the gossips presents Thither came of strange shepheards onely the melancholy Philisides â—or the vertuous Coridon had long since left off al his ioyful solemnities And as for Strephon and Klaius they had lost their mistresse which put them into such extreme sorrowes as they could scarcely abide the light of the daye much lesse the eyes of men But of the Arcadian borne shepheardes thither came good olde Geron young Histor though vnwilling and vpright Dicus mery Pass and iolly Nico. As for Damaetas they durst not presume his pride was such to inuite him and Dorus they founde might not bee spared And there vnder a bower was made of bowes for Thyrsis house was not able to receaue them euery one placed according to his age The women for such was the maner of the country kept together to make good cheare among themselues from which otherwise a certaine painefull modestie restraines them and there might the sadder matrones giue good counsel to Kala who poore soule wept for feare of that she desired But among the shepheards was al honest libertie no feare of daungerous tel-tales who hunt greater prayes nor indeede mindes in them to giue tell-tales any occasion but one questioning with another of the manuring his ground and gouerning his flock the highest pointe they reached to was to talke of the holines of mariage to which purpose assoone as their sober dynner was ended Dycus insteede of thankes sange this songe with a cleare voice and cheerfull countenaunce LEt mother earth now decke her selfe in flowers To see her ofspring seeke a good increase Where iustest loue doth vanquish Cupids powers And ware of thoughts is swallow'd vp in peace Which neuer may decrease But like the turtells faire Liue one in two a well vnited paire Which that no chaunce may staine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine O heau'n awake shewe forth thy stately face Let not these slumbring clowds thy beawties hide But with thy cheerefull presence helpe to grace The honest Bridegroome and the bashfull Bride Whose loues may euer bide Like to the Elme and Vyne With mutuall embracements them to twyne In which delightfull paine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine Yee Muses all which chaste affects allow And haue to Thyrsis shewd your secret skill To this chaste loue your sacred fauours bow And so to him and her your giftes distill That they all vice may kill And like to lillies pure May please all eyes and spotlesse may endure Where that all blisse may raigne O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine Yee Nymphes which in the waters empire haue Since Thyrsis musick oft doth yeeld you praise Graunt to the thing which we for Thyrsis craue Let one time but long first close vp their daies One graue their bodies seaze And like two riuers sweete When they though diuers do together meete One streame both streames containe O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine Pan father Pan the god of silly sheepe Whose care is cause that they in number growe Haue much more care of them that them do keepe Since from these good the others good doth flowe And make their issue showe In number like the hearde Of yonglings which thy selfe with loue hast rearde Or like the drops of raine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine Vertue if not a God yet Gods chiefe parte Be thou the knot of this their open vowe That still he be her head she be his harte He leane to her she vnto him do bow Each other still allow Like Oke and Mistletoe Her strength from him his praise from her do growe In which most louely traine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine But thou foule Cupid syre to lawlesse lust Be thou farre hence with thy empoyson'd darte Which though of glittring golde shall heere take rust Where simple loue which chastnesse doth imparte Auoydes thy hurtfull arte Not needing charming skill Such mindes with sweet affections for to fill Which being pure and plaine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine All churlish wordes shrewd answeres crabbed lookes All priuatenes selfe-seeking inward
spite All waywardnes which nothing kindly brookes All strife for toyes and clayming masters right Be hence aye put to flight All sturring husbands hate Gainst neighbors good for womanish debate Be fled as things most vaine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine All peacock pride and fruites of peacocks pride Longing to be with losse of substance gay With retchlesnes what may thy house bâ—tide So that you may on hyer slippers stay For euer hence awaye Yet let not sluttery The sinke of filth be counted huswifery But keeping holesome meane O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine But aboue all away vile iealousie The euill of euils iust cause to be vniust How can he loue suspecting treacherie How can she loue where loue cannot win trust Goe snake hide thee in dust Ne dare once shew thy face Where open hartes do holde so constant place That they thy sting restraine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine The earth is deckt with flowers the heau'ns displaid Muses graunt guiftes Nymphes long and ioyned life Pan store of babes vertue their thoughts well staid Cupids lust gone and gone is bitter strife Happy man happy wife No pride shall them oppresse Nor yet shall yeeld to loathsome sluttishnes And iealousie is slaine For Himen will their coupled ioyes maintaine Truly Dicus sayd Nico although thou didst not graunt me the price the last day when vndoubtedly I wan it yet must I needes say thou for thy parte hast soong well and thriftelie Pas straight desired all the companie they would beare witnes that Nico had once in his life spoken wisely for sayde he I will tell it his father who will be a glad man when he heares such newes Very true sayd Nico but indeede so would not thine in like case for he would looke thou shouldest liue but one houre longer that a discreate word wandred out of thy mouth And I pray thee sayd Pas gentle Nico tell me what mischaunce it was that brought thee to taste so fine a meate Mary goodman blockhead sayde Nico because hee speakes against iealousie the filthie traytor to true affection and yet disguising it selfe in the rayment of loue Sentences Sentences cried Pas. Alas howe ripe witted these young folkes be now adayes But well counselled shall that husband be when this man commes to exhort him not to be iealous And so shall he aunswered Nico for I haue seene a fresh example though it be not very fit to be knowen Come come sayde Pas be not so squeamish I knowe thou longest more to tell it then we to heare it But for all his wordes Nico would not bestowe his voyce till he was generally entreated of all the rest And then with a merry marriage looke he sang this following discourse for with a better grace he could sing then tell A Neighbor mine not long agoe there was But namelesse he for blamelesse he shall be That married had a trick and bonny lasse As in a sommer day a man might see But he himselfe a foule vnhansome groome And farre vnfit to hold so good a roome Now whether mou'd with selfe vnworthines Or with her beawtie fit to make a pray Fell iealousie did so his braine oppresse That if he absent were but halfe a day He gest the worst you wot what is the worst And in himselfe new doubting causes nurst While thus he fear'd the silly innocent Who yet was good because she knewe none ill Vnto his house a iollie shepeheard went To whome our prince did beare a great good will Because in wrestling and in pastorall He farre did passe the rest of Shepheards all And therefore he a courtier was benamed And as a courtier was with cheere receaued For they haue toongs to make a poore man blamed If he to them his dutie misconceaued And for this Courtier should well like his table The goodman bad his wife be seruiceable And so she was and all with good intent But fewe dayes past while she good maner vs'de But that her husband thought her seruice bent To such an end as he might be abus'de Yet like a coward fearing strangers pride He made the simple wench his wrath abide With chumpish lookes hard words and secret nips Grumbling at her when she his kindnes sought Asking her how she tasted Courtiers lips He forst her thinke that which she neuer thought In fine he made her gesse there was some sweet In that which he so fear'd that she should meet When once this entred was in womans hart And that it had enflam'd a new desire There rested then to play a womans part Fuell to seeke and not to quench the fire But for his iealous eye she well did finde She studied cunning how the same to blinde And thus she did One day to him she came And though against his will on him she leand And out gan cry ah well away for shame If you helpe not our wedlocke will be staind The goodman starting askt what did her moue She sigh'd and sayd the bad guest sought her loue He little looking that she should complaine Of that whereto he feard she was enclinde Bussing her oft and in his hart full faine He did demaunde what remedy to finde How they might get that guest from them to wend And yet the prince that lou'd him not offend Husband quoth she go to him by and by And tell him you do finde I doo him loue And therefore pray him that of courtesie He will absent himselfe least he should moue A young girles hart to that were shame for both Whereto you knowe his honest harte were loath Thus shall you show that him you do not doubt And as for me sweete husband I must beare Glad was the man when he had heard her out And did the same although with mickle feare For feare he did least he the young man might In choller put with whom he would not fight The Courtlie shepheard much agast at this Not seeing earst such token in the wife Though full of scorne would not his duty misse Knowing that euill becommes a houshold strife Did goe his way but soiourn'd neere thereby That yet the ground hereof he might espie The wife thus hauing settled husbands braine Who would haue sworne his spowse Diana was Watched when she a furder point might gaine Which little time did fitlie bring to passe For to the Courte her man was calld by name Whither he needes must goe for feare of blame Three dayes before that he must sure depart She written had but in a hand disguisde A letter such which might from either part Seeme to proceede so well it was deuisde She seald it first then she the sealing brake And to her iealous husband did it take With weeping eyes her eyes she taught to weepe She told him that the Courtier had it sent Alas quoth she thus womens shame doth creepe The goodman read on both sides the content It title had Vnto my only loue Subscription was Yours most if you will
word coulde his eloquence procure of Mopsa who indeed was there attending for greater matters This was yet a newe burthen to poore Damaetas who thought all the worlde was conspired against him and therefore with a seely choler he began another tune Thou vile Mopsa saide he now the vengeance of my fatherly curse light ouerthwart thee if thou doe not streight answere me But neither blessing nor cursing coulde preuaile Mopsa who was now great with childe with the expectation of her may-game hopes and did long to be deliuered with the thirde time being named Which by and by followed For Damaetas rubbing his elbowe stamping and whining seing neither of these take place began to throwe stones at her and withall to coniure her by the name of hellish Mopsa But when he had named her the third time no chime can more sodainly follow the striking of a Clocke then shee verily thinking it was the God that vsed her fathers voice throwing our armes abroade and not considering she was muffled vpon so high a tree came fluttering down like a hooded hawke like enough to haue broken her neck but that the tree full of bowes tossed her from one bow to another and lastly well brused brought her to receiue an vnfrindly salutation of the earth Damaetas as soone as she was downe came running to her and finding her so close wrapt pulled of the scarlet cloake in good time for her for with the sorenesse of the fall if she had not had breath giuen her she had deliuered a foolish soule to Pluto But then Damaetas began a fresh to desire his daughter not to forget the paines he had taken for her in her childhoode which he was sure she could not remember and to tell him where Pamela was O good Apollo saide Mopsa if euer thou didest beare loue to Phaethons mother let me haue a King to my husband Alas what speakest thou of Phaethon Saide Damaetas If by thy circumspect meanes I finde not out Pamela thy father will be hanged to morrow It is no matter though he be hanged answered Mopsa doe but thou make Dorus a King and let him bee my husband good Apollo for my courage doth much pricke mee towarde him Ah Mopsa cryed out Damaetas where is thy witt Doest thou not know thy father How hast thou forgotten thy selfe I do not aske witt of thee mine owne God said shee but I see thou wouldest haue me remember my father and indeede forget my selfe No no a good husband thou shalt haue thy fill of husbandes saide Damaetas and doe but answere me my question O I thanke thee saide Mopsa withall my harte hartely but let them bee all Kinges Damaetas seing no other way preuaile fel downe on his knees Mopsa Mopsa saide he doe not thus cruelly torment me I am already wretched enough alas either helpe me or tell me thou canst not She that woulde not bee behinde Apollo in curtesie kneeled downe on thother side I wil neuer leaue tormenting thee said Mopsa vntill thou hast satisfied my longing but I will proclaime thee a promise breaker that euen Iupiter shall heare it Now by the fostring thou hast receaued in this place saue my life saide Damaetas now by the faire Ash aunswered Mopsa where thou didest receaue so great a good turne graunt post haste to my burning fancie O where is Pamela saide Damaetas O a lustie husband saide Mopsa Damaetas that nowe verely assured himselfe his daughter was madd beganne vtterly to dispaire of his life and therefore amazedly catching her in his armes to see whether hee coulde bring her to her selfe hee might feele the weight of of a greate cudgell light vpon his shoulders and for the first greeting hee knew his wife Misos voice by the calling him ribaulde villaine asking him whether she coulde not serue his turne as well as Charita For Miso hauing according to Dorus counsaile gone to Mantinea and there harboured her selfe in an olde acquaintaunce house of hers as soone as tenne of the clocke was striken where shee had remayned closely all that while I thinke with such an amiable cheare as when iealous Iuno sate crosse-legged to hinder the child-birth of her husbands loue with open mouth shee went to the Magistrate appointed ouer such matters and there with the most scolding inuectiue her rage rather then eloquence could bring forth she required his ayde to take Damaetas who had lefte his dutie to the Kinge and his daughter to cōmit adultery in the house of Charitas vncle in the Ondemian streete But neither was the name of Charita remembred nor any such streete knowne Yet such was the generall mislike all men had of Damaetas vnworthy aduancement that euery man was glad to make himselfe a minister of that which might redounde to his shame and therfore with Panike cries and laughters there was no suspected place in all the cittie but was searched for vnder the title of Damaetas Miso euer formost encowraging them withall the shamefull blasings of his demeanoure encreasing the sporte of hunting her husband with her diligent barking till at length hauing already done both him and her selfe as much infamous shame as such a tonge in such an action might performe in the end not being able to find a thing that was not to her mare again she wēt hauing neither suspition nor rage any thing mitigated But leauing behinde her a sufficient comedie of her tragicall fancies away homewarde she came imputing the not finding her husband to any chaunce rather then to his innocencie For her harte being apt to receaue and nourish a bitter thought it had so swallowed vp a determinate condemnation that in the verie anotomie of her spirits one should haue found nothing but diuelish disdaine and hatefull iealousie In this sorte grunting out her mischeuous spite shee came by the tree euen as Damaetas was making that ill vnderstoode intercession to his foolish Mopsa As soone as she harde her husbands voice she verily thought she had her playe and therefore stealing from her mare as softely as she coulde shee came creeping and halting behinde him euen as he thinking his daughters little witts had quite lefte her great nowle beganne to take her in his armes thinking perchaunce her feeling sence might call her mind partes vnto her But Miso who sawe nothing but thorowe the coulloure of reuenge-full anger established vpon the fore-iudgement of his trespasse vndoubtedly resoluing that Mopsa was Charita Dorus had tolde her of mumping out her hoarse chafe she gaue him the wooden salutation you hearde of Damaetas that was not so sensible in any thing as in blows turned vp his blubbred face like a great lowt newe whipte Alas thou woman said hee what hath thy poore husband deserued to haue his owne ill lucke loaden with thy displeasure Pamela is lost Pamela is lost Miso still holding on the course of her former fancie what tellest thou mee naughtie varlet of Pamela doest thou thinke that doth aunswere me for abusing the lawes of
and a Princesse aliue But once for them she might haue gone whether she would thinking it a sacriledge to touch her person when she finding she finding she was not a sufficieÌ„t oratour to perswade her own death by their haÌ„ds well said she it is but so much more time of miserie for my part I will not geue my life so much pleasure from hence forward as to yeeld to his desire of his own choise of death since all the rest is taken away yet let me excell in miserie Leade me therfore whether you will only happy because I can not be more wretched But neyther so much would the honest Shepheards do but rather with many teares bemoned this encrease of their former losse till she was faine to leade them with a very strange spectacle either that a Princesse should be in the hands of Shepheards or a prisoner should direct her gardiens lastly before either witnes or accuser a Lady condemne her selfe to death But in such monefull â—arch they went towards the other Shepheards who in the meane time had left nothing vnassaied to reuiue the King but all was bootles and their sorrowes encreased the more they had suffred any hopes vainly to arise Among other trialls they made to know at least the cause of his end hauing espied the vnhappy cup they gaue the little liquor that was left to a dogge of Damaetas in which within a short time it wrought the like effect although Damaetas did so much to recouer him that for very loue of his life he dasht out his braines But now all togither and hauing Gynaecia among them who to make her selfe the more odious did continuallie record to their mindes the excesse of their losse they yelded themselues ouer to all those formes of lamentacion that dolefull images do imprint in the honest but ouer tender hartes especially when they thinke the rebound of the euill falls to their owne smart Therefore after the auncient greeke maner some of them remembring the nobilitie of his birth continued by being like his Auncestors others his shape which though not excellent yet fauour and pittie drew all things now to the highest point others his peaceable gouernment the thing which most pleaseth men resolued to liue of their owne others his liberalitie which though it cannot light vpon all men yet men naturallie hoping it may be they make it a most amiable vertue Some calling in question the greatnes of his power which encreased the compassion to see the present change hauing a dolefull memorie how he had tempered it with such familier curtesie among them that they did more feele the fruites then see the pompes of his greatnes all with one consent geuing him the sacred titles of good iust mercifull the father of the people the life of his Countrie they ranne about his body tearing their beards and garments some sending their cryes to heauen other inuenting perticular howling musicke manie vowing to kill themselues at the day of his funeralls generallie geuing a true testimonye that men are louing creatures when iniuries put them not from their naturall course and howe easily a thing it is for a Prince by succession deeplie to sinke into the soules of his subiects a more liuely monument then Mausolus Tombe But as with such hartie lamentacion they dispersed among those woods their resounding shrikes the Sunne the perfectest marke of time hauing now gotten vp two howres iourney in his dayly changing Circle their voice helped with the only answering Echo came to the eares of the faithfull and worthy Gentleman Philanax who at that time was comming to visite the King accompanyed with diuers of the worthie Arcadian Lords who with him had visited the places adioyning for the more assurance of Basilius solitarines a thing after the late mutinie he had vsually done and since the Princesses returne more diligentlie continued which hauing nowe likewise performed thinking it as well his duty to see the King as of good purpose being so neare to receyue his further direction accompanied as aboue sayd he was this morning comming vnto him when these vnpleasant voices gaue his minde an vncertaine presage of his neere approching sorow For by and by he saw the bodie of his dearely esteemed Prince and heard Gynecias lamenting not such as the turtle-like loue is wont to make for the euer ouer-soone losse of her only loued make but with curfings of her life detesting her owne wickednes seeming only therefore not to desire death because she would not shew a loue of any thing The Shepheards especially Damaetas knowing him to be the second person in Aucthoritie gaue forthwith relacion vnto him what they knewe and had proued of this dolorous spectacle besides the other accidents of his children But he principally touched with his maisters losse lighting from his horse with a heauie cheare came and kneeled downe by him where finding he could do no more then the Shepheards had for his recouerie the constancie of his minde surprised before he might call together his best rules could not refraine such like words Ah deere maister sayd he what change it hath pleased the Almightie Iustice to worke in this place How soone not to your losse who hauing liued long to nature and to time longer by your well deserued glorie but longest of all in the eternall mansion you now possesse But how soone I say to our ruine haue you left the fraile barke of your estate O that the words in most faithfull dutie deliuered vnto you when you first entred this solitarie course might haue wrought as much perswasion in you as they â—prang from truth in me perchaunce your seruaunt Philanax should not nowe haue cause in your losse to bewayle his owne ouerthrowe And therewith taking himselfe and in deede euill fitteth it me sayde he to let goe my harte to womanish complaints since my Prince being vndoubtedly well it rather shewes loue of my selfe which makes me bewaile mine owne losse No the true loue must be proued in the honor of your memorie and that must be shewed with seeking iust reuenge vpon your vniust and vnnaturall enemies and farre more honorable it will be for your Tombe to haue the blood of your murderers sprinkled vpon it then the teares of your friendes And if your soule looke downe vppon this miserable earth I doubt not it had much rather your death were accompanyed with well deserued punishment of the causers of it then with the heaping on it more sorrowes with the ende of them to whome you vouchsafed your affection let them lament that haue wouen the webbe of lamentacion let theyr owne deathes make them crye out for your death that were the authors of it Therewith carying manfull sorowe and vindicatiâ—e resolucion in his face he rose vp so looking on the poore guiltlesse princesse transported with an vniust iustice that his eyes were sufficient herauldes for him to denounce a mortall hatred She whome furies of loue firebrands of her conscience shame of the
world with the miserable losse of her husband towardes whome nowe the disdaine of her selfe bred more loue with the remembrance of her vision wherewith she resolued assuredly the Gods had appointed that shamefull end to be her resting place had set her mind to no other way but to death vsed such like speeches to Philanax as she had before to the Shepheards willing him not to looke vpon her as a woman but a monster not as a princesse but a traytor to his prince not as Basilius wife but as Basilius murtherer She tolde him howe the worlde required at his handes the iust demonstration of his friendship if hee nowe forgot his Prince hee shoulde shewe hee had neuer loued but hys fortune like those vermine that sucke of the liuing bloud and leaue the body assoone as it is dead poore Princesse needelesly seeking to kindle him who did most deadly detest her which he vttered in this bitter answere Madame saide he you do well to hate your selfe for you cannot hate a worse creature and though we feele enough your hellish disposition yet we neede not doubt you are of counsell to your selfe of much worse then we know But now feare not you shall not long be combred with being guided by so euell a soule therefore prepare your selfe that if it be possible you may deliuer vp your spirit so much purer as you more wash your wickednes with repentaunce Then hauing presently giuen order for the bringing from Mantinea a great number of tents for the receipt of the principall Arcadians the maner of that countrie being that where the Prince died ther should be orders taken for the countries gouernment and in the place any murther was committed the iudgement should be giuen ther before the body was buried both concurring is this matter and alredy great parte of the Nobilitie being ariued he deliuered the Princes to a gentelman of greate trust and as for Damaetas taking from him the keyes of both the lodges calling him the moth of his Princes estate and onely spot of his iudgement he caused him with his wife and daughter to bee fettered vp in as manye chaines and clogges as they coulde beare and euery thirde howre to bee cruelly whipt till the determinate iudgement should be giuen of all these matters That done hauing sent alredy at his comming to all the quarters of the countrie to seeke Pamela although with smal hope of ouertaking them he himself went wel accompanied to the lodge where the two vnfortunate louers were attending a cruell conclusion of their long painefull and late most painefull affection Damaetas clownish eyes hauing ben the onely discouerers of Pyrocles stratagem had no sooner taken a full vewe of them which in some sightes would rather haue bred any thing then an accusing minde and locked the doore vpon these two yong folkes now made prisoners for loue as before they had bene prisoners to loue But that imediatly vpon his going downe whether with noyse Damaetas made or with the creeping in of the light or rather that as extreame griefe had procured his sleepe so extreame care had measured his sleepe giuinge his sences a very early salüe to come to themselues Pyrocles awaked And being vp the first euill hansell he had of the ill case wherein he was was the seeing himselfe depriued of his sworde from which he had neuer seperated himselfe in any occasion and euen that night first by the Kinges bedd and then there had laid it as he thought safe putting great parte of the trust of his well doing in his owne cowrage so armed For indeed the confidence in ones self is the chiefe nurse of magnanimitie which confidence notwithstanding doth not leaue the care of necessarie furnitures for it and therefore of all the Grecians Homere doth euer make Achilles the best armed But that as I say was the first ill token but by and by he perceaued he was a prisoner before any arest for the doore which he had lefte open was made â—o fast of the outside that for all the force he could employe vnto it he could not vndo Damaetas doing then went he to the windowes to see if that waye there were any escape for him and his deare Lady but as vaine hee founde all his employment there not hauing might to breake out but onely one barre wherin notwithstanding he strained his sinewes to the vttermost And that he rather took out to vse for other seruice then for any possibilitie he had to escape for euen then it was that Damaetas hauing gathered together the first comming sheepheards did blabber out what hee haâ— founde in the Ladye Philocleas chamber Pyrocles markingly harkned to all that Damaetas said whose voice and minde acquaintance had taught him sufficiently to know But when he assuredly perceaued that his being with the Lady Philoclea was fullie discouered by the follie or malice or rather malicious follie of Damaetas her honour therein touched in the hiest degree remembring withal the crueltie of the Arcadian lawes which without exception did condemn al to death who were fouÌ„d as Damaetas reported of them in acte of mariage without solemnitie of mariage assuring himselfe besides the law the King the Queene woulde vse so much more hate against their daughter as they had found themselues sotted by him in the pursute of their loue Lastly seing they were not only in the way of death but fittly encaged for death looking with a hartie griefe vpon the honour of loue the fellowes Philoclea whose innocent soule now enioying his owne goodnes did little knowe the daunger of his euer faire then sleeping harbour his excellent wit strengthened with vertue but guided by loue had soone described to himselfe a perfect vision of their present condition wherein hauing presently cast a resolute reckoning of his owne parte of the misery not only the chiefe but sole burthen of his anguish consisted in the vnworthy case which was like to fall vpon the best deseruing Philoclea He saw the misfortune not the mismeaning of his worke was like to bring that creature to end in whom the worlde as he thought did begin to receaue honour hee saw the weake iudgement of man woulde condemne that as death deseruing voice in her which had in troth neuer broken the bonds of a true liuing vertue how often his eye turned to his attractiue adamant so often did an vnspeakable horror strike his noble hart to coÌ„sider so vnripe yeares so fautles a beautie the mansion of so pure goodnes should haue her youth so vntimely cut off her naturall perfections vnnaturallie coÌ„sumed her vertue rewarded with shame somtimes he would accuse himselfe of necligence that had not more curiously looked to al the house entries yet coulde hee not imagine the way Damaetas was gotten in to call backe what might haue ben to a maÌ„ of wisdom courage caries but a vaine shadow of discourse somtimes he could not chose but with a dissolutioÌ„ of his inward
thou hast cōfirmed vnto me by an oath assure thy selfe the first that layes hands vpō her shall leaue his life for a testimony of his sacriledge Philanax with an inward storme thinking it most manifest they were both he at least of counsell with the kings death well said he you speake much to me of the king I do here sweare vnto you by the loue I haue euer borne him she shal haue no worse howsoeuer it fal out then her own parents And vpon that word of yours I yeld said the poore Pyrocles deceiued by him that ment not to deceiue him Then did Philanax deliuer him into the hands of a noble man in the company euery one desirous to haue him in his charge so much did his goodly presence wherin true valure shined breede a delightfull admiration in all the beholders Philanax himselfe stayed with Philoclea to see whether of her he might learne some disclosing of this former conclusion But she sweet Lady whom first a kindly shamefastnes had separated from Pyrocles hauing bene left in a more open view then her modesty would well beare then the attending her fathers comming and studying how to behaue her selfe towards him for both their safeties had called her spirits all within her now that vpon a sodaine Pyrocles was deliuered out of the chamber from her at the first she was so surprized with the extreame stroke of the wofull sight that like those that in their dreames are taken with some ougly vision they would fain cry for help but haue no force so remained she awhile quite depriued not only of speach but almost of any other liuely actiō But whē indeed Pyrocles was quite drawne frō her eys that her vital strēgth begā to return vnto her now not knowing what they did to Pyrocles but according to the nature of loue fearing the worst wringing her hands and letting abundance of teares be the first part of her eloquence bending her Amber-crowned head ouer her bed side to the hard-hearted Philanax O Philanax Philanax sayd she I knowe how much authoritye you haue with my father there is no man whose wisedome he so much esteemes nor whose faith so much he reposeth vpon Remember how oft you haue promised your seruice vnto me how oft you haue geuen me occasion to beleeue that there was no Lady in whose fauor you more desired to remayne and if the remembrance be not vnpleasant to your mind or the rehearsall vnfitting for my fortune remember there was a time when I could deserue it Now my chaunce is turned let not your truth turne I present my selfe vnto you the most humble and miserable suppliant liuing neither shall my desire be great I seeke for no more life then I shall be found worthy of If my bloud may wash away the dishonor of Arcadia spare it not although through me it hath in deede neuer bene dishonored My only sute is you wil be a meane for me that while I am suffered to enioy this life I may not be separated from him to whom the Gods haue ioyned me and that you determine nothing of him more cruelly then you do of me If you rightly iudge of what hath past wherein the Gods that should haue bene of our mariage are witnesses of our innocencies then procure we may liue together But if my father will not so conceiue of vs as the fault if any were was vnited so let the punishmēt be vnited also There was no man that euer loued either his Prince or any thing pertaining to him with a truer zeale then Philanax did This made him euen to the depth of his heart receiue a most vehemēt griefe to see his master made as it were more miserable after death And for himselfe calling to mind in what sort his life had bene preserued by Philoclea what time taken by Amphialus he was like to suffer a cruell death there was nothing could haue kept him from falling to all tender pittie but the perfect perswasion he had that all this was ioyned to the packe of his maisters death which the misconceiued speech of marriage made him the more beleeue Therefore first muttering to himselfe such like words The violence the gentleman spake of is now turned to mariage he alledged Mars but she speakes of Venus O vnfortunate maister This hath bene that faire diuell Gynaecia sent away one of her daughters prostituted the other empoysoned thee to ouerthrowe the diademe of Arcadia But at length thus vnto her selfe he sayde If your father Madame were now to speake vnto truly there should no body be found a more ready aduocate for you then my selfe For I would suffer this fault though very great to be blotted out of my minde by your former led life your benefit towards my selfe and being daughter to such a father But since among your selues you haue taken him away in whome was the only power to haue mercy you must now be clothed in your owne working and looke for none other then that which dead pittilesse lawes may allot vnto you For my part I loued you for your vertue but now where is that I loued you in respect of a priuate benefit what is that in comparison of the publike losse I loued you for your father vnhappy folks you haue robbed the world of him These words of her father were so little vnderstood by the only well vnderstanding Philoclea that she desired him to tell her what he meant to speake in such darke sort vnto her of her lord and father whose displeasure was more dreadfull vnto her then her punishment that she was free in her owne conscience she had neuer deserued euill of him no not in this last fact wherein if it pleased him to proceed with patience he should finde her choise had not bene vnfortunate He that saw her words written in the plaine table of her faire face thought it impossible there should therin be contained deceite and therfore so much the more abashed Why said he Madame would you haue me thinke you are not of conspiracy with the Princesse Pamelas flight and your fathers death with that word the sweet Lady gaue a pittifull cry hauing streight in her face breast abundance of witnesses that her hart was far from any such abhominable consent Ah of all sides vtterly ruined Philoclea said she now in deed I may well suffer all conceite of hope to dye in mee Deare father where was I that might not do you my last seruice before soone after miserably following you Philanax perceiued the demonstracion so liuely true in her that he easily acquited her in his heart of that fact and the more was moued to ioyne with her in most heartie lamentation But remembring him that the burthen of the state and punishment of his masters murderers lay all vpon him Well sayde he Madame I can do nothing without all the states of Arcadia what they will determine of you I know not for my part your speaches would much preuaile
establish him as Lieutenant of the state and these were the most populer sorte who iudged by the commodities they felte But the principall men in honor and might who had long before enuyed his greatnes with Basilius did much more spurne against any such preferment of him For yet before theyr enuye had some kinde of breathing out his rancour by layeng his greatnes as a fault to the Princes iudgement who shewde in Damaetas he might easely be deceyued in mens valewe But nowe if the Princes choice by so many mouthes should be confyrmed what coulde they obiect to so rightly esteemed an excellencye They therefore were disposed sooner to yeeld to any thing then to his raysing and were content for to crosse Philanax to stoppe those actions which otherwise they could not but thinke good Philanax himselfe as much hindred by those that did immoderatly honour him which brought both more enuye and suspicion vppon him as by them that did manifestly resist him but standing onely vppon a constant desire of iustice and a cleere conscience went forwarde stoutly in the action of his maisters reuenge which he thought himselfe particularly bound to For the rest as the ordering of the gouernment he accompted himselfe but as one wherein notwithstanding he would imploy all hys loyall indeauour But among the Noble men hee that most openly set himselfe against him was named Timantus a man of middle age but of extreame ambition as one that had placed his vttermost good in greatnes thinking small difference by what meanes he came by it Of commendable wit if he had not made it a seruaunt to vnbrideled desires Cunning to creepe into mens fauours which hee prized onely as they were seruiceable vnto him He had bene brought vp in some souldiery which he knewe how to set out with more then deserued ostentacion Seruile though enuious to his betters and no lesse tirannycallie minded to them hee had aduauntage of Counted reuengefull but in deede measuring both reuenge and rewarde as the partye might eyther helpe or hurt him Rather shamelesse then bolde and yet more bolde in practises then in personall aduentures In summe a man that could be as euill as he listed and listed as much as any aduancement might thereby be gotten As for vertue hee counted it but a schoole name Hee euen at the fyrst assembling together finding the great stroke Philanax carried among the people thought it his readyest way of ambition to ioyne with him which though his pride did hardly brooke yet the other vice carrying with it a more apparant obiect preuayled ouer the weaker so that with those liberall protestacions of friendship which men that care not for their word are wont to bestowe he offred vnto him the choice in marriage of eyther the sisters so he would likewise helpe him to the other and make such a particion of the Arcadian estate Wishing him that since he loued his maister because he was his maister which shewed the loue began in himselfe he should rather now occasion was presented seeke his owne good substancially then affect the smoke of a glory by shewing an vntimely fidelitie to him that could not reward it and haue all the fruite he should get in mens opinions which would be as diuers as many fewe agreeing to yeeld him due prayse of his true heart But Philanax who had limitted his thoughtes in that he esteemed good to which he was neyther carryed by the vayne tickling of vncertayne fame nor from which he would be transported by enioying any thing whereto the ignorant world geues the excellent name of goodes with great mislike of his offer he made him so peremtorye an answere not without threatning if he found him foster any such fancie that Timantus went with an inward spite from him whome before he had neuer loued and measuring all mens marches by his owne pace rather thought it some further fetch of Philanax as that he would haue all to himselfe alone then was any way taken with the louâ—ly beawtie of his vertue whose image he had so quite defaced in his owne soule that he had left himselfe no eyes to beholde it but stayde wayting fitt oportunitie to execute his desires both for himselfe and against Philanax which by the bringing backe of Pamela the people being deuided into many motions which both with murmuring noyses and putting themselues in seuerall troupes they well shewed he thought apt time was layde before him the waters being as the prouerbe sayth troubled and so the better for his fishing Therefore going amongst the chiefest Lordes whome he knewe principally to repine at Philanax and making a kinde of conuocation of them he inueighed against his proceedings drawing euery thing to the most malicious interpretacion that malice itselfe could instruct him to doe He sayde it was season for them to looke to such a weede that else would ouergrowe them all It was not nowe time to consult of the dead but of the liuing since such a slye wolfe was entred among them that could make iustice the cloake of tirannye and loue of his late maister the destruction of his now being children Do you not see sayde hee howe farre his corruption hath stretched that hee hath such a number of rascalls voyces to declare him Lieutenant readye to make him Prince but that he instructs them matters are not yet ripe for it As for vs because we are too ritch to be bought he thinkes vs the fitter to be killed Hath Arcadia bredd no man but Philanax is she become a stepmother to all the rest and hath geuen all her blessings to Philanax Or if there be men amongst vs let vs shewe wee disdayne to bee seruaunts to a seruaunt Let vs make hym knowe wee are farre worthier not to bee slaues then hee to bee a mayster Thinke you hee hath made such haste in these matters to geue them ouer to another mans hande Thincke you he durst become the gaylor of his Princesse but either meaning to be her maister or her murtherer and all this for the dere good wil forsoth he beares to the kings memory whose authority as he abused in his life so he would now perseuer to abuse his name after his death O notable affection for the loue of the father to kill the wife and disenherit the children O single minded modestie to aspire to no lesse then to the princely Diademe No no he hath vired all this while but to come the sooner to his affected ende But let vs remember what we be in quallitie his equalls in number farre before him let vs deliuer the Queene and our naturall Princesses and leaue them no longer vnder his authoritye whose proceedings would rather shewe that he himselfe had bene the murderer of the King then a fit Gardien of his posteritye These wordes pearst much into the mindes already enclined that way Insomuch that most part of the nobilitye confirmed Timantus speech and were readye to execute it when Philanax came among them and with
a constant but reuerent behauiour desired them they would not exercise priuate grudges in so common a necessitye Hee acknowledged himselfe a man and a faultye man to the cleering or satisfyeng of which he would at all times submit himselfe since his ende was to bring all things to an vpright iudgement it should euill fitt him to flye the iudgement But sayde he my Lordes let not Timantus rayling speech who whatsoeuer he findes euill in his owne soule can with ease lay it vppon another make me loose your good fauour Consider that all well doing stands so in the middle betwixt his two contrarye euils that it is a readye matter to cast a slaunderous shade vpon the most approued vertues Who hath an euill toong can call seueritie crueltie and faithfull dilligence dilligent ambition But my ende is not to excuse my selfe nor to accuse him for both those hereafter will be time enough There is neyther of vs whose purging or punishing may so much import to Arcadia Now I request you for your owne honours sake and require you by the duety you owe to this estate that you doo presently according to the lawes take in hande the chastizement of our maisters murderers and laying order for the gouernment by whom soeuer it be done so it be done and iustly done I am satisfyed My labour hath bene to frame things so as you might determine now it is in you to determine For my part I call the heauens to witnesse the care of my heart stands to repaye that wherein both I and most of you were tyed to that Prince with whome all my loue of worldly action is dead As Philanax was speaking his last wordes there came one running to him with open mouth and fearefull eyes telling him that there were a great number of the people which were bent to take the young men out of Sympathus hands and as it should seeme by their acclamacions were like inough to proclayme them Princes Nay sayde Philanax speaking alowde and looking with a iust anger vppon the other noble men it is nowe season to heare Timantus idle slanders while strangers become our Lordes and Basilius murderers sit in his throne But who soeuer is a true Arcadian let him followe me With that he went towarde the place he heard of followed by those that had euer loued him and some of the noble men Some other remayning with Timantus who in the meane time was conspiring by strong hand to deliuer Gynaecia of whome the weakest guard was had But Philanax where he went found them all in an vprore which thus was fallne out The greatest multitude of people that were come to the death of Basilius were the Mantineans as being the nearest Citie to the lodges Among these the chiefe man both in authoritye and loue was Kalander he that not long before had bene hoste to the two Princes whome though he knewe not so much as by name yet besides the obligacion he stood bound to them in for preseruing the liues of his sonne or nephewe theyr noble behauiour had bred such loue in his heart towardes them as both with teares he parted from them when they left him vnder promise to returne and did keepe their iewells and apparrell as the relicks of two demy gods Among others he had entred the prison and seene them which forthwith so inuested his soule both with sorrowe and desire to helpe them whome he tendred as his children that calling his neighbours the Mantineans vnto him he tould them all the prayses of those two young men swearing he thought the gods had prouided for them better then they themselues could haue imagined He willed them to consider that when all was done Basilius children must enioy the state who since they had chosen and chosen so as all the world could not mende their choise why should they resist Gods doing and theyr Princesses pleasure This was the only way to purchase quietnes without blood where otherwise they should at one instant crowne Pamela with a Crowne of golde and a dishonoured title Which whether euer she would forget he thought it fit for them to way such said he heroicall greatnes shines in their eyes such an extraordinary maiestie in all their actions as surely either fortune by parentage or nature in creation hath made them Princes And yet a state already we haue we neede but a man who since he is presented vnto you by the heauenly prouidence embraced by your vndoubted Princesse worthy for their youth of compassion for their beawtie of admiracion for their excellent vertue to be monarkes of the world shall we not be content with our owne blisse Shall we put out our eyes because another man cannot see or rather like some men when too much good happens vnto them they thinke themselues in a dreame and haue not spirits to taste their owne goods No no my friends beleeue me I am so vnpartiall that I knowe not their names but so ouercome with their vertue that I shall then thinke the destenyes haue ordayned a perpetuall florishing to Arcadia when they shall allot such a gouernor vnto it This spoken by a man graue in yeares great in authoritie neere allyed to the Prince and knowen honest preuayled so with all the Mantineans that with one voyce they ranne to deliuer the two Princes But Philanax came in time to withstand them both sides yet standing in armes and rather wanting a beginning then mindes to enter into a bloudy conflict Which Philanax foreseeing thought best to remoue the prisoners secretly and if neede were rather without forme of iustice to kill them then against iustice as hee thought to haue them vsurpe the state But there agayne arose a new trouble For Sympathus the noble man that kept them was so stricken in compassion with their excellent presence that as he would not falsifye his promise to Philanax to geue them libertye so yet would he not yeeld them to himselfe fearing he would do them violence Thus tumult vppon tumult arising the Sunne I thinke aweary to see theyr discords had alreadye gone downe to his Westerne lodging But yet to knowe what the poore Shepherds did who were the fyrst descryers of these matters will not to some eares perchance be a tedious digression Heere endes the fourth booke or acte The fourth Eglogues THE Shepheards finding no place for them in these garboyles to which their quiet hearts whose highest ambition was in keeping themselues vp in goodnes had at all no aptnes retired themselues from among the clamorous multitude and as sorowe desires company went vp together to the Westerne side of a hill whose prospect extended it so farre as they might well discerne many of Arcadias beawtyes And there looking vpon the Sunnes as then declining race the poore men sate pensiue of their present miseries as if they founde a wearines of theyr wofull wordes till at last good olde Geron who as he had longest tasted the benefites of Basilius gouernment so seemed to
that you do well by his children And what more honor I pray you can you do to his obsequies then to satisfie his soule with a louing memorie as you do his body with an vnfelt solemnitie What haue you done with the Princesse Pamela Pamela the iust enheretrix of this Countrey Pamela whom this earth may be happy that it shall be hereafter sayde she was borne in Arcadia Pamela in her selfe your ornament in her education your foster childe and euery way your only Princesse what accompt can you render to your selues of her Truly I do not thinke that you all knowe what is become of her so soone may a Diamond be lost so soone may the fayrest light in the world be put out But looke looke vnto it O Arcadians be not so wilfully robbed of your greatest treasure make not your selues ministers to priuate ambitions who do but vse your selues to put on your owne yokes Whatsoeuer you determine of vs who I must confesse are but strangers yet let not Basilius daughters be straungers vnto you Lastly howsoeuer you barre her from her publicke souereigntie which if you do little may we hope of equitie where rebellion raignes yet deny not that childs right vnto her that she may come and do the last duties to her fathers body Deny not that happines if in such a case there be any happines to your late King that his body may haue his last touch of his deerest child With such like broken maner of questions and speeches was Musidorus desirous as much as in passing by them he could to moue the people to tender Pamelas fortune But at length by that they came to the iudgement place both Sympathus and his guider had greatly satisfied him with the assurance they gaue him this assemblie of people had neyther meaning nor power to do any hurt to the Princesse whome they all acknowledged as their souereigne Lady But that the custome of Arcadia was such till she had more yeares the state of the country to be guided by a Protector vnder whome he and his fellow were to receiue their iudgement That eased Musidorus hart of his most vehement care when he found his beloued Lady to be out of daunger But Pyrocles assoone as the Queene of the one side he and Musidorus of the other were stayed before the face of their iudge hauing only for their barre the Table on which the Kings body lay being nothing lesse vexed with the doubt of Philoclea then Musidorus was for Pamela in this sort with a lowlie behauiour and only then like a suppliant he spake to the Protector Pardon me most honoured Iudge said he that vncommaunded I begin my speech vnto you since both to you and me these wordes of mine shall be most necessary To you hauing the sacred exercise of iustice in your hand nothing appertaines more properly then truth nakedly freely set downe To me being enuironed round about with many daungerous calamities what can be more conuenient then at least to be at peace with my selfe in hauing discharged my conscience in a most behouefull veritie Vnderstand therefore and truly vnderstand that the Lady Philoclea to whose vnstayned vertue it hath bene my vnspeakeable miserye that my name should become a blot if she be accused is most vniustly accused of any dishonorable fact which by my meanes she may be thought to haue yelded vnto Whatsoeuer hath bene done hath bene my only attempt which notwithstanding was neuer intended against her chastetye But whatsoeuer hath bene enformed was my fault And I attest the heauens to blaspheame which I am not now in fit tune that so much as my comming into her chamber was wholie vnwitting vnto her This your wisdome may withall consider if I would lye I would lye for mine owne behoofe I am not so olde as to be weary of my selfe But the very sting of my inward knowledge ioyned with the consideracion I must needes haue what an infinite losse it should be to all those whose loue goodnes in good folkes if so pure a child of vertue should wrongfully be destroyed compells me to vse my toong against my selfe and receiue the burden of what euill was vppon my owne doing Looke therefore with pittifull eyes vppon so fayre beames and that misfortune which by me hath fallen vppon her helpe to repaier it with your publicke iudgement since whosoeuer deales cruelly with such a creature shewes himselfe a hater of mankinde and an enuier of the worlds blisse And this peticion I make euen in the name of iustice that before you proceed further against vs I may knowe how you conceiue of her noble though vnfortunate action and what iudgement you will make of it He had not spoken his last word when all the whole people both of great and low estate confirmed with an vnited murmur Pyrocles demaund longing for the loue generally was borne Philoclea to knowe what they might hope of her Euarchus though neither regarding a prisoners passionate prayer nor bearing ouerplausible eares to a many hedded motion yet well enough content to winne their liking with things in themselues indifferent he was content first to seeke asmuch as might be of Philocleas behauior in this matter which being cleered by Pyrocles but weakely gaynesayd by Philanax who had framed both his owne Damaetas euidence most for her fauour and in truth could haue gone no further then coniecture yet finding by his wisedome that she was not altogether faultlesse he pronounced she should all her life long be kept prisoner among certaine women of religion like the vestall nonnes so to repaye their touched honour of her house with well obseruing a stryctt profession of chastitie Although this were a greate preiudicating of Pyrocles case yet was hee exceedingly ioyous of it being assured of his Ladies life and in the depth of his minde not sorry that what ende soeuer he had none should obtaine the after enioying that Iewell whereon he had set his liues happines After it was by publicque sentence deliuered what should be done with the sweete Philoclea the lawes of Arcadia bearing that what was appointed by the magistrates in the noneage of the Prince coulde not afterwards be repealed Euarchus still vsing to himselfe no other name but protector of Arcadia commaunded those that had to say against the Queene Gynecia to proceede because both her estate required shee shoulde bee first heard and also for that shee was taken to bee the principall in the greatest matter they were to iudge of Philanax incontinently stepped foorth and shewing in his greedy eyes that he did thirst for her bloud beganne a well thought on discourse of her in his iudgement execrable wickednes But Gynecia standing vp before the iudge casting abroad her armes with her eyes hiddē vnder the bredth of her vnseemely hart laying open in all her gestures the despairefull affliction to which all the might of her reason was conuerted with such like words stopped Philanax as hee was entring
fellowes accusation was double double likewise my aunswere must perforce be to the murder of Basilius and violence offred to the inuiolate Philoclea For the fyrst O heauenly gods who would haue thought any mouth could haue bene founde so mercenary as to haue opened so slight proofes of so horrible matters his fyrst Argument is a question who would imagine that Ginecia would accomplish such an Acte without some accessaries and if any who but I truly I and so farre from imagining any thing that till I sawe these mourning tokens and heard Ginecias confession I neuer imagined the King was dead And for my part so vehemently and more like the manner of passionate then giltie folkes I see the Queene persecute her selfe that I thinke condemnation may goe too hastely ouer her considering the vnlikelyhood if not impossibilitie her wisedome and vertue so long nourished should in one moment throw downe it selfe to the vttermost ende of wickednes But whatsoeuer she hath done which as I say I neuer beleeued yet how vniustly should that aggrauate my fault She founde abroade I within dores for as for the wearing my garment I haue tolde you the cause she seeking as you saye to escape I locking my selfe in a house without perchaunce the conspiracie of one poore straunger might greatly enable her attempt or the fortification of the Lodge as the trimme man alleadged might make me hope to resist all Arcadia And see how treacherously he seekes to drawe from me my chiefest cleering by preuenting the credit of her words wherewith she had wholie taken the fault vpon her selfe A honest and vnpartiall examiner her words may condemne her but may not absolue me Thus voide of all probable allegacion the crauen crowes vppon my affliction not leauing out any euill that euer he hath felt in his owne soule to charge my youth withall But who can looke for a sweeter breath out of such a stomacke or for honny from so filthye a Spyder What should I say more if in so inhumane a matter which he himselfe confesseth sincerest iudgements are lothest to beleeue and in the seuerest lawes proofes clerer then the Sunne are required his reasons are only the skumme of a base malice my answeres most manifest shining in their owne truth there remayne any doubt of it because it stands betwixt his affirming and my denyall I offer nay I desire and humblie desire I may be graunted the tryall by combat wherein let him be armed and me in my shirt I doubt not Iustice will be my shield and his hart will shew it selfe as faint as it is false Now come I to the second part of my offence towards the young Lady which howsoeuer you tearme it so farre forth as I haue tolde you I confesse and for her sake hartely lament But if herein I offred force to her loue offred more force to me Let her beawtie be compared to my yeares and such effectes will be found no miracles But since it is thus as it is and that iustice teacheth vs not to loue punishment but to flye to it for necessitye the salue of her honour I meane as the world will take it for else in truth it is most vntouched must be my marriage and not my death since the one shops all mouthes the other becommes a doubtfull fable This matter requires no more words and your experience I hope in these cases shall neede no more for my selfe me thinkes I haue shewed already too much loue of my life to bestowe so many But certainely it hath bene loue of truth which could not beare so vnworthy falsehood and loue of iustice that would brooke no wrong to my selfe nor other and makes me now euen in that respect to desire you to be moued rather with pittie at a iust cause of teares then with the bloudy teares this Crocodile spends who weepes to procure death and not to lament death It will be no honour to Basilius tombe to haue guiltlesse bloud sprinckled vpon it and much more may a Iudge ouerway himselfe in crueltie then in clemencie It is hard but it is excellent where it is found a right knowledge when correction is necessary when grace doth more auaile For my owne respect if I thought in wisedome I had deserued death I would not desire life for I knowe nature will condemne me to dye though you do not and longer I would not wish to drawe this breath then I may keepe my selfe vnspotted of any horrible crime only I cannot nor euer will denye the loue of Philoclea whose violence wrought violent effects in me with that he finished his speeche casting vp his eyes to the Iudge and crossing his hands which he held in their length before him declaring a resolute pacience in whatsoeuer should be done with him Philanax like a watchfull aduersary curiously marked all that he saide sauing that in the beginning he was interrupted by two Letters were brought him from the Princesse Pamela and the Lady Philoclea who hauing all that night considered and bewayled their estate carefull for their mother likewise of whome they could neuer thinke so much euill but considering with themselues that she assuredly should haue so due tryall by the lawes as eyther she should not neede their helpe or should be past their helpe They looked to that which neerelyest touched them and each wrate in this sort for him in whome their liues ioy consisted The humble harted Philoclea wrate much after this manner MY Lords what you will determine of me is to me vncertayne but what I haue determined of my selfe I am most certaine which is no longer to enioy my life then I may enioy him for my husband whom the heauens for my hyest glory haue bestowed vpon me Those that iudge him let them execute me Let my throate satisfye their hunger of murder For alas what hath he done that had not his originall in me Looke vppon him I beseech you with indifferency and see whether in those eyes all vertue shines not See whether that face could hide a murder Take leasure to knowe him and then your selues will say it hath bene too great an inhumanitie to suspect such excellency Are the gods thinke you deceaued in their workemanship Artificers will not vse marble but to noble vses Should those powers be so ouershot as to frame so precious an Image of their owne but to honorable purposes O speake with him ô heare him ô knowe him and become not the putters out of the worlds light Hope you to ioy my fathers soule with hurting him he loued aboue all the world Shall a wrong suspicion make you forget the certaine knowledge of those benefits this house hath receiued by him Alas alas let not Arcadia for his losse be accurssed of the whole earth and of all posteritie He is a great Prince I speake vnto you that which I knowe for I haue seene most euident testimonies Why should you hinder my aduancement who if I haue past my childhood hurtlesse to
but falsehoode it coulde not be since I made my selfe partaker of whatsoeuer I wished her vnto who will euer counsaill his King if his counsaill be iudged by the euent and if it be not found wise shall therefore be thought wicked But if I be a traytor I hope you will graunt me a correlatiue to whom I shall be the traytor For the Princesse against whom the treasons are considered I am sure will avowe my faithfulnes without you will saye that I am a traytor to her because I left the contrie and a traytor to the contrie because I went with her Heere do I leaue out my iust excuses of loues force which as thy narrow hart hath neuer had noble roome inough in it to receaue so yet to those manlike courages that by experience know how subiect the vertuous mindes are to loue a most vertuous creature witnessed to be such by the most excellent guiftes of nature will deeme it a veniall trespasse to seeke the satisfaction of honourable desires Honourable euen in the curiousest pointes of honour whereout there can no disgrace nor disperagement come vnto her Therfore O iudge who I hope doest know what it is to be a iudge that your ende is to preserue and not to destroy mankinde that lawes are not made like limetwigges or nets to catch euery thing that toucheth them but rather like sea markes to auoide the shipwracke of ignoraunt passingers since that our doinge in the extremest interpretation is but a humaine error and that of it you may make a proffitable euent we being of such estate as their parents would not haue misliked the affinitie you will not I trust at the perswasion of this brabler burne your house to make it cleane but like a wise father turne euen the fault of your children to any good that may come of it since that is the fruite of wisdome and ende of all iudgements While this matter was thus handling a silent and as it were astonished attention possest all the people A kindely compssion moued the noble Gentleman Simpathus but as for Kalander euery thing was spoken either by or for his own deere guestes moued an affect in him somtimes teares sometimes hopefull lookes sometimes whispering perswasions in their eares that stoode by him to seeke the sauing the two yong Princes But the generall multitude wayted the iudgemēt of Euarchus who shewed in his face no motions either at the ones or other speeche letting passe the flowers of rhetoricke and onely marking whether their reasons tended hauing made the question to be asked of Gynecia who continued to take the whole faulte vpon her selfe and hauing caused Damaetas with Miso and Mopsa who by Philanax order had bene helde in most cruell prison to make a full declaration howe much they knewe of these passed matters and then gathering as assured satisfaction to his owne minde as in that case he could not needing to take leasure for that whereof a long practise had bred a well grounded habit in him with a voice of gesture directed to the vniuersall assemblie in this forme pronounced sentence This weightie matter wherof presently we are to determine doth at the first consideration yeeld two important doubtes The first whether these men be to be iudged The second how they are to be iudged The first doubt ariseth because they geue themselues out for Princes absolute a sacred name and to which any violence semes to be an impietie For how can any lawes which are the bonds of all humane societie be obserued if the lawe giuers and lawe rulers bee not helde in an vntouched admiration But heereto although alredy they haue beene sufficiently aunswered yet thus much againe I will repeate vnto you That what soeuer they be or be not heere they be no Princes since betwixt Prince and subiect there is as necessarie a relation as betweene father and sonne and as there is no man a father but to his childe so is not a Prince a Prince but to his owne subiects Therefore is not this place to acknowledge in them any principallitie without it should at the same time by a secreate consent confesse subiection Yet hereto may be obiected that the vniuersall ciuillitie the lawe of nations all mankinde being as it were coinhabitors or worlde-citizens together hath euer required publicke persons shoulde be of all parties especially regarded since not onely in peace but in warre not only Princes but herauldes and trumpets are with great reason exempted from iniuryes This pointe is true but yet so true as they that will receaue the benefit of a custome must not be the first to breake it For then can they not complaine if they be not helpt by that which they themselues hurte Yf a Prince do actes of hostilitie without denouncing warre if he breake his oath of amitie or innumerable such other thinges contrary to the lawe of armes he must take heede how he fall into their hands whom he so wrongeth for then is courtesie the best custome he can claime much more these men who haue not onely lefte to doe like Princes but to be like Princes not onely entred into Arcadia and so into the Arcadian orders but into domesticall seruices and so by making them selues priuate depriued themselues of respecte due to their publicke calling For no proportion it were of iustice that a man might make himselfe no Prince when he woulde doe euill and might a newe create himselfe a Prince when he would not suffer euill Thus therefore by al lawes of nature and nations and especially by their owne putting themselues out of the sanctuary of them these yong men can not in iustice auoide the iudgement but like priuate men must haue their doinges either cleared excused or condemned There resteth then the second point howe to iudge well And that must vndoubtedly bee done not by a free discourse of reason and skill of philosophy but must be tied to the lawes of Greece and municipall statutes of this kingedome For although out of them these came and to them muste indeede referre their offspringe yet because philosophicall discourses stande in the generall consideration of thinges they leaue to euery man a scope of his owne interpretation Where the lawes applyinge them selues to the necessary vse folde vs within assured boundes which once broken mās nature infinitly rāgeth Iudged therfore they must be by your lawes iudged Nowe the action offereth it selfe to dewe ballance betwixte the accusers two-folde accusation and their aunsweare accordingly applied The questions beeinge the one of a facte simplie the other of the quallity of a fact To the first vse direct deniall to the second quallification and excuse They deny the murder of the king mightie against presumptiōs bring forth some probable answers which they do principally fortefie with the Queenes acknowledging her selfe only culpable Certainely as in equallitie of coniectures we are not to take holde of the worse but rather to be glad we may finde any hope
daies what death is so euil as vnworthy seruitude But that opinion soone ceased when he sawe the gallie setting vpon an other shippe which held long and strong fight with her for then he began a fresh to feare the life of his friende and to wish well to the Pirates whome before he hated least in their ruyne he might perish But the fishermen made such speed into the hauen that they absented his eyes from beholding the issue where being entred he could procure neither them nor any other as then to put themselues into the sea so that being as ful of sorrow for beyng vnable to doe any thing as voide of counsel how to doe anything besides that sicknesse grew something vpon him the honest shepheards Strephon and Claius who being themselues true friends did the more perfectly iudge the iustnesse of his sorrowe aduise him that he should mitigate somwhat of his woe since he had gotten an amendment in fortune being come from assured persuasion of his death to haue no cause to dispaire of his life as one that had lamented the death of his sheepe should after know they were but strayed would receiue pleasure though readily he knew not where to finde them Now sir saide they thus for our selues it is We are in profession but shepheards and in this countrie of Laconia little better then straungers and therefore neither in skill nor abilitie of power greatly to stead you But what wee can present vnto you is this Arcadia of which countrie we are is but a little way hence and euen vpon the next confines there dwelleth a Gentleman by name Kalander who vouchsafeth much fauour vnto vs A man who for his hospitalitie is so much haunted that no newes sturre but comes to his eares for his vpright dealing so beloued of his neighbours that he hath many euer readie to doe him their vttermost seruice and by the great good will our Prince beares him may soone obtaine the vse of his name and credit which hath a principall swaie not onely in his owne Arcadia but in all these countries of Peloponnesus which is worth all all these things giue him not so much power as his nature giues him will to benefit so that it seemes no Musicke is sweete to his eare as deserued thanks To him we wil bring you and there you may recouer againe your health without which you cannot bee able to make any diligent search for your friend and therefore you must labour for it Besides we are sure the comfort of curtesie and ease of wise counsell shall not be wanting Musidorus who besides he wâ—s meerly vnacquainted in the countrie had his wits astonished with sorrow gaue easie consent to that from which hee savve no reason to disagree and therefore defraying the Mariners with a ring bestovved vpon them they tooke their iourney together through Laconia Claius and Strephon by course carying his chest for him Musidorus only bearing in his countenance euident markes of a sorovvful-mind supported vvith a vveake bodie vvhich they perceiuing and knovving that the violence of sorovv is not at the first to be striuen vvithall being like a mighty beast soner tamed vvith follovving than ouerthrovven by vvithstanding they gaue vvay vnto it for that day and the next neuer troubling him either vvith asking questions or finding fault vvith his melancholie but rather fitting to his dolor dolorous discourses of their ovvne and other folks misfortunes Which speeches though they had not a liuely entraÌ„ce to his sences shut vp in sorow yet like one halfe a sleepe he tooke hold of much of the matters spoken vnto him so as a man may say ere sorow was a wareâ— they made his thoughts beare away somthing els besid his own sorow which wrought so in him that at leÌ„gth he grew content to marke their speeches then to maruell at such wit in shepheardes after to like their company and lastly to vouchsafe conference so that the third day after in the time that the morning did strow roses and violets in the heauenly floore against the comming of the Sun the nightingales striuing one with the other which coulde in most dainty variety recount their wrong caused sorow made them put of their sleep and rising from vnder a tree which that night had bine their pauilion they went on their iorney which by and by welcomed Musidorus eyes wearied with the wasted soile of Laconia with delightfull prospects There were hilles which garnished their proud heights with stately trees humble valleis whose base estate seemed comforted with refreshing of siluer riuers medowes enameld with all sortes of eypleasing floures thickets which being lined with most pleasant shade were witnessed so too by the cheerefull disposition of many wel-tuned birds ech pasture stored with sheep feeding with sober security while the prety lambes with bleting oratory craued the dams comfort here a shepheards boy piping as though he should neuer be olde there a yong shepherdesse knitting and withall singing and it seemed that her voice comforted her hands to worke and her hands kept time to her voices musick As for the houses of the country for many houses came vnder their eye they were all scattered no two being one by th' other and yet not so far off as that it barred mutuall succour a shew as it were of an accompanable solitarines of a ciuil wildnes I pray you said Musidorus then first vnsealing his long silent lips what countreyes be these we passe through which are so diuers in shewe the one wanting no store th' other hauing no store but of want The country answered Claius where you were cast a shore and now are past through is Laconia not so poore by the barrennes of the soyle though in it selfe not passing fertill as by a ciuill warre which being these two yeares within the bowels of that estate betweene the gentlemen and the peasants by them named Helots hath in this sorte as it were disfigured the face of nature and made it so vnhospitall as now you haue founde it the townes neither of the one side nor the other willingly opening their gates to strangers nor strangers willingly entring for feare of being mistaken But this countrie where now you set your foot is Arcadia euen hard by is the house of Kalander whether we lead you this country being thus decked with peace the child of peace good husbandrie These houses you see so scattered are of men as we two are that liue vpon the commoditie of their sheepe and therefore in the diuision of the Arcadian estate are termed shepheards a happie people wanting litle because they desire not much What cause then saide Musidorus made you venter to leaue this sweet life and put your selfe in yonder vnpleasant and dangerous realme Guarded with pouertie answered Strephon and guided with loue But now said Claius since it hath pleased you to aske any thing of vs whose basenes is such as the very knowledge is darkenes geue vs leaue
to know somthing of you and of the yong man you so much lament that at least we may be the better instructed to enforme Kalander and he the better know how to proportion his entertainment Musidorus according to the agrement betwene Pyrocles him to alter their names answered that he called himselfe Palladius and his friend Daiphantus but till I haue him againe saide he I am in deed nothing and therefore my storie is of nothing his entertainement since so good a man he is cannot be so lowe as I account my estate and in summe the summe of all his curtesie may be to helpe me by some meanes to seeke my frend They perceiued he was not willing to open himselfe further and therefore without further questioning brought him to the house about which they might see with fitte consideration both of the ayre the prospect the nature of the ground all such necessarie additions to a greate house as might well shewe Kalander knewe that prouision is the foundation of hospitalitie and thrift the fewel of magnificence The house it selfe was built of faire and strong stone not affecting so much any extraordinarie kinde of finenes as an honorable representing of a firme statelines The lightes doores and staires rather directed to the vse of the guest then to the eye of the Artificer and yet as the one cheefly heeded so the other not neglected eache place handsome without curiositie and homely without lothsomnes not so dainty as not to be trode on nor yet slubbered vp with good felowshippe all more lasting than beautifull but that the consideration of the exceeding lastingnesse made the eye beleeue it was exceeding beautifull The seruants not so many in number as cleanlie in apparel seruiceable in behauiour testifiing euen in their countenaunces that their maister tooke aswell care to be serued as of them that did serue One of them was forth-with readie to wellcome the shepheards as men who though they were poore their maister greatly fauoured vnderstanding by them that the young man with thē was to be much accounted of for that they had sene tokens of more than commō greatnes hovv so euer novv eclipsed vvith fortune He ranne to his maister vvho came presentlie foorth and pleasantly vvelcomming the shepheardes but especially applying him to Musidorus Strephon priuately tolde him all vvhat he knevv of him and particularly that he found this stranger vvas loath to be knovven Noe saide Kalander speaking alowd I am no herald to enquire of mens pedegrees it sufficeth me if I know their vertues which if this young mans face bee not a false witnes doe better apparrell his minde then you haue done his body While he was thus speaking there came a boy in shew like a Marchants prentice who taking Strephon by the sleeue deliuered him a letter written ioyntly both to him and Claius from Vrania which they no sooner had read but that with short leaue-taking of Kalander who quickly guest and smiled at the matter once againe though hastely recommending the yong man vnto him they went away leauing Musidorus euen lothe to part with them for the good conuersation he had of them and obligation he accounted himself tied in vnto them and therfore they deliuering his chest vnto him he opened it and would haue presented them with two very rich Iewels but they absolutelie refused thē telling him that they were more then enough rewarded in the knowing of him and without harkening vnto a replie like men whose hartes disdained all desires but one gate speedely away as if the letter had brought wings to make them flie But by that sight Kalander soone iudged that his guest was of no meane calling and therefore the more respectfullie entertaining him Musidorus found his sicknes which the fight the sea and late trauell had layd vpon him grow greatly so that fearing some suddaine accident hee deliuered the chest to Kalander which was full of most precious stones gorgeously and cunningly set in diuerse manners desiring him hee would keep those trifles and if he died he would bestow so much of it as was needfull to finde out and redeeme a yong man naming himselfe Daiphantus as then in the handes of Laconia pirates But Kalander seeing him faint more and more with carefull speede conueyed him to the most commodious lodging in his house where beeing possest with an extreeme burning feuer he continued some while with no great hope of life but youth at length got the victorie of sicknesse so that in sixe weeks the excellencie of his returned beautie was a credible embassadour of his health to the great ioy of Kalander who as in this time he had by certaine friendes of his that dwelt neare the Sea in Messenia set foorth a shippe and a galley to seeke and succour Daiphantus so at home did he omit nothing which hee thought might eyther profite or gratifie Palladius For hauing found in him besides his bodily giftes beyond the degree of Admiration by daily discourses which he delighted him selfe to haue with him a mind of most excellent composition a pearcing wit quite voide of ostentation high erected thoughts seated in a hart of courtesie an eloquence as sweet in the vttering as slowe to come to the vttering a behauiour so noble as gaue a maiestie to aduersitie and all in a man whose age could not be aboue one and twenty yeares the good olde man was euē enamoured with a fatherly loue towards him or rather became his seruaunt by the bondes such vertue laid vpon him once he acknowledged him selfe so to be by the badge of diligent attendance But Palladius hauing gotten his health and onely staying there to bee in place vvhere he might heare answere of the shippes set foorth Kalander one after noone led him abroad to a well arayed ground he had behind his house which hee thought to shew him before his going as the place himself more thē in any other delighted the backside of the house was neither field gardē nor orchard or rather it was both field garden and orchard for as soone as the descending of the stayres had deliuered them downe they came into a place cunningly set with trees of the moste tast-pleasing fruites but scarcelie they had taken that into their consideration but that they were suddainely stept into a delicate greene of each side of the greene a thicket and behinde the thickets againe newe beddes of flowers which beeing vnder the trees the trees were to them a Pauilion and they to the trees a mosaicall floore so that it seemed that arte therein would needes be delightfull by counterfaiting his enemie error and making order in confusion In the middest of all the place was afaire ponde whose shaking christall was a perfect mirrour to all the other beauties so that it bare shewe of two gardens one in deede the other in shaddowes and in one of the thickets was a fine fountaine made thus A naked Venus of white marble wherein the grauer
of shamefastnes and wanton languishing borrowed of her eyes the down-castlooke of modestie But we in the mean time farre from louing her and often assuring her that we would not so recompence her husbandes sauing of our liues to such a ridiculous degree of trusting her she had brought him that she caused him send vs worde that vpon our liues we should doo whatsoeuer she commaunded vs good man not knowing any other but that all her pleasures were directed to the preseruation of his estate But when that made vs rather pittie then obey his folly then fell she to seruile entreating vs as though force could haue bene the schoole of Loue or that an honest courage would not rather striue against then yeeld to iniurie All which yet could not make vs accuse her though it made vs almost pine away for spight to loose any of our time in so troublesome an idlenesse But while we were thus full of wearinesse of what was past and doubt of what was to follow Loue that I thinke in the course of my life hath a spot sometimes to poyson me with roses sometimes to heale me with wormewood brought forth a remedy vnto vs which though it helped me out of that distres alas the cōclusion was such as I must euer while I liue think it worse then a wracke so to haue bene preserued This King by this Queene had a sonne of tender age but of great expectation brought vp in the hope of themselues and already acceptation of the inconstant people as successour of his fathers crowne wherof he was as worthy considering his partes as vnworthie in respect of the wrong was thereby done against the most noble Plangus whose great desertes now either forgotten or vngratefully remembred all men set their sayles with the fauourable winde which blewe on the fortune of this young Prince perchaunce not in their harts but surely not in their mouths now giuing Plangus who some yeares before was their only champion the poore comfort of calamitie pittie This youth therefore accounted Prince of that region by name Palladius did with vehement affection loue a yong Ladye brought vp in his fathers court called Zelmane daughter to that mischieuouslie vnhappie Prince Plexirtus of whom already I haue and sometimes must make but neuer honorable mention left there by her father because of the intricate changeablenes of his estate he by the motherside being halfe brother to this Queene Andromana and therefore the willinger committing her to her care But as Loue alas doth not alwaies reflect it selfe so fell it out that this Zelmane though truely reason there was enough to loue Palladius yet could not euer perswade her harte to yeelde thereunto with that paine to Palladius as they feele that feele an vnloued loue Yet louing indeed and therefore constant hee vsed still the intercession of diligence and faith euer hoping because he would not put him selfe into that hell to be hopelesse vntill the time of our being come and captiued there brought foorth this ende which truely deserues of me a further degree of sorrow then teares Such was therein my ill destinie that this young Ladye Zelmane like some vnwisely liberall that more delight to giue presentes then pay debtes she chose alas for the pittie rather to bestowe her loue so much vndeserued as not desired vpon me then to recompence him whose loue besides many other thinges might seeme euen in the court of Honour iustly to claime it of her But so it was alas that so it was whereby it came to passe that as nothing doth more naturally follow his cause then care to preserue and benefite doth follow vnfained affection she felt with me what I felt of my captiuitie and streight laboured to redresse my paine which was her paine which she could do by no better meanes then by vsing the helpe therein of Palladius who true Louer considering what and not why in all her commaundements and indeed she concealing from him her affection which shee intituled compassion immediatly obeyed to imploye his vttermost credite to relieue vs which though has great as a beloued son with a mother faultye otherwise but not hard-harted toward him yet it could not preuaile to procure vs libertie Wherefore he sought to haue that by practise which he could not by praier And so being allowed often to visite vs for indeede our restraints were more or lesse according as the ague of her passion was either in the fit or intermission he vsed the opportunitie of a fit time thus to deliuer vs. The time of the marrying that Queene was euery year by the extreme loue of her husband and the seruiceable loue of the Courtiers made notable by some publike honours which did as it were proclaime to the worlde how deare shee was to that people Among other none was either more grateful to the beholders or more noble in it selfe then iusts both with sword launce mainteined for a seuen-night together wherein that Nation doth so excel both for comelines and hablenes that from neighbour-countries they ordinarilye come some to striue some to learne some to behold This day it happened that diuers famous Knights came thither from the Court of Helen Queene of Corinth a Lady whome fame at that time was so desirous to honor that she borrowed all mens mouthes to ioyne with the sounde of her Trumpet For as her beautie hath wonne the prize from all women that stande in degree of comparison for as for the two sisters of Arcadia they are far beyond all conceipte of comparison so hath her gouernment bene such as hath bene no lesse beautifull to mens iudgementes then her beautie to the eiesight For being brought by right of birth a woman a yong woman a faire woman to gouern a people in nature mutinously proud and alwaies before so vsed to hard gouernours as they knew not how to obey without the sworde were drawne Yet could she for some yeares so carry her selfe among them that they found cause in the delicacie of her sex of admiration not of contempt which was notable euen in the time that many countries about her were full of wars which for old grudges to Corinth were thought stil would conclude there yet so handled she the matter that the threatens euer smarted in the threatners she vsing so strange and yet so well-succeding a temper that she made her people by peace warlike her courtiers by sports learned her Ladies by Loue chast For by cōtinuall martiall exercises without bloud she made them perfect in that bloudy art Her sportes were such as carried riches of Knowledge vpon the stream of Delight and such the behauiour both of her selfe and her Ladies as builded their chastitie not vpon waiwardnes but choice of worthines So as it seemed that court to haue bene the mariage place of Loue Vertue and that herself was a Diana apparrelled in the garmēts of Venus And this which Fame only deliuered vnto me for yet I haue neuer
might endure a fruictfull as an idle absence As for the doubt he conceaued of the peoples constancie in this their election hee saide it was such a doubt as al humane actions are subiect vnto yet as much as in politique matters which receaue not geometricall certainties a man may assure himselfe there was euident likelyhoode to bee conceaued of the continuance both in their vnanimitie and his worthynes wherof the on was apt to be held the other to hold ioyned to the present necessitie the firmest band of mortall mindes In sum hee alledged so many reasons to Euâ—rchus his minde alredy enclined to enter into any vertuous action that he yeelded to take vpon him selfe the iudgement of the present cause so as hee might finde in deede that such was the peoples desire out of iudgement and not faction Therefore mounting on their horses they hasted to the lodges where they found though late in the night the people wakefully watching for the issue of Philanax embassage No man thinking the matter would be well done without he had his voice in it and each deeming his owne eyes the best gardiens of his throte in that vnaccustomed tumult But when they saw Philanax returne hauing on his right hande the King Euarchus on whome they had nowe placed the greatest burthen of their feares with ioyfull shoutes and applawding acclamations they made him and the world quickly know that one mans sufficiencie is more auailable then ten thousands multitude So euill ballanced be the extremities of popular mindes and so much naturall imperiousnes there rests in a well formed spirit For as if Euarchus had ben borne of the princely bloud of Arcadia or that long and well acquainted proofe had engrafted him in their countrie so flocked they about this straunger most of them alredie from deiected feares rising to ambitious considerations who should catch the first hold of his fauour And then from those crying welcomes to babling one with the other some praysing Philanax for his succeeding paine others likinge Euarchus aspect as they iudged his age by his face so iudging his wisedome by his age Euarchus passed thorow them like a man that did neither disdaine a people nor yet was any thing tickled with their flatteries But alwayes holding his owne a man might reade a constant determination in his eyes And in that sorte dismounting among them he forthwith demaunded the conuocation to bee made which accordingly was done with as much order and silence as it might appeare Neptune had not more force to appease the rebellious winde then the admiration of an extraordinary vertue hath to temper a disordered multitude He being raysed vp vppon a place more hie then the rest where he might be best vnderstoode in this sorte spake vnto them I vnderstande saide hee faithfull Arcadians by my L. Philanax that you haue with one consent chosen me to be the iudge of the late euills hapned orderer of the present disorders and finally protector of this countrie til therein it be seene what the customes of Arcadia require He could saye no further being stopped with a generall crie that so it was geuing him all the honourable titles and happie wishes they could imagin He beckned vnto them for silence and then thus againe proceeded well-saide hee how good choise you haue made the attending must bee in you the proofe in me But because it many times falls out we are much deceaued in others we being the first to deceaue ourselues I am to require you not to haue an ouershooting expectation of mee the most cruell aduersary of all honourable doings Nor promise yourselues wonders out of a sodaine lyking but remember I am a man that is to say a creature whose reason is often darkned with error Seconly that you will laye your hearts voyde of foretaken opinions els whatsoeuer I doe or say will be measured by a wronge rule like them that the haue yellow Iaundise euery thing seeming yellowe vnto them Thirdly whatsoeuer debates haue rysen among you may be vtterly extinguished knowing that euen among the best men are diuersities of opinions which are no more in true reason to breed hatred then one that loues black should be angrie with him that is clothed in white for thoughts conceits are the verie apparel of the mind Lastly that you do not easely iudge of your iudge but since you will haue me to command thinke it is your part to obay And in rewarde of this I will promise and protest vnto you that to the vttermost of my skill but in the generall lawes of nature especially of Greece and particular of Arcadia wherein I must confesse I am not vnacquainted I will not onely see the passed euills duly punished and your weale here after established but for your defence in it if need shall requeir I wil imploy the forces and treasures of mine owne country In the meane time this shal be the first order I will take that no man vnder paine of greeuous punishment name me by any other name but protector of Arcadia For I will not leaue any possible culloure to any of my naturall successors to make claime to this which by free election you haue bestowed vpon me And so I vowe vnto you to depose my self of it assoone as the iudgement is passed the King buried and his lawfull successor appointed For the first whereof I meane the trying which be guiltie of the Kings death and these other haynous trespasses because your customes require such haste I will no longer delay it then till to morrowe as soone as the Sunne shall giue vs fit opportunitie You may therefore retire your selues to your rest that you may be reddier to be present at these so great important matters Which many allowing tokens was Euarchus speech heard who nowe by Philanax that tooke the principall care of doing all due seruices vnto him was offred a lodging made ready for him the rest of the people aswell as the small commoditie of that place would suffer yeelding their weery heads to sleepe when loe the night thorowly spent in these mixed matters was for that time banished the face of the earth and Euarchus seing the daye beginne to discloase his comfortable beauties desiring nothing more then to ioyne speede with iustice willed Philanax presently to make the iudgement place bee put in order and assoone as the people who yet were not fully dispersed might be brought together to bring foorth the prisoners and the Kings body Which the manner was should in such cases be held in sight though couered with blacke veluet vntill they that were accused to be the murderers were quitted or condemned whether the reason of the law were to shew the more gratefull loue to their Prince or by that spectacle the more to remember the iudge of his dutie Philanax who now thought in himself he approached by the iust reuenge he so much desired went withall care and diligence to performe his charge But first it