exclaimed on his misfortune cursing the tydings bringer of the Kings repaire to the Park and his tongue for not revealing his griefe his Physition being so readie to heare that despairing of his hope he was likely to mischiefe himselfe yet Reason affirming That the learnedst Phisition could not discover the disease of his patient without he shew it how neare soever he ghesse Entring further into consideration of her favourable speaches shaking off feare like a hardie Souldier he determined in writing to let her know his love since he had no hope to meet her againe at the like advantage Therefore like the condemned hoping of pardon lived Eliosto yet desirous to be resolved either of comfort or despaire he called for pen and ynke and wrote thus To the onely mistresse of my heart the most beautifull Cleodora happinesse and hearts content IF Iupiter being a God was vanquished by love and many mightie Monarches have beene forced to seeke the love of beautifull Ladies I have lesse cause to accuse my fortune or exclaime against his soveraigntie who hath framed my heart to like and love your excellencie how long I have honoured you onely I omit and desist to impart the many griefes endured for your sake Now as you are by nature pitifull so vouchsafe to credite the lines of me your sworne servant and by your favour reclaime from the gates of death my soule which vpon deniall is readie to leave her earthly mansion Therefore peerlesse Ladie if thou holde the life of thy servant in any regard grant me thy love and with thy love gratious liking so shall I live to honour thee or die through thy crueltie I write not as a Poet but as a passionate lover of your highnesse and therefore if thou dislike these lines atâ—…ribute the shortnesse of my stile to my ardencie which without flatterie hath delivered the summe of my miserie and hope shal be by your gracious courtesie mitigated So attending your answere either of life or death I wish thy ioyes never to have end and my selfe a speedie death without your liking Your Graces in life most humble Eliosto What man living hath either heard or read of such sensuall and incontinent designes such libidinous and incestuous affection Thou Hyppolite for not yeelding to the lust of Phaedra thy Stepmother wast through her false accusation by thy father pursued till the Charioâ—… wherein thou fleddest brake and thou miserably among the sharpe stones rent to peeces but by thy fall thou hast preserved thy name from blacke mouthed infamie who onely is delighted with her brazen Trumpet to sound the harsh tunes of our foule defame as for thee Eliosâ—…o whom the Fates likewise have reserved to perpetuitie must with thy licencious Phaedra abide continually the detestable brand of vnspeakable ignominie But I digresse When he had ended these lines sealed and directed the same he could not find by many devises which hee sought how it should be brought to his mothers hands at length after many and sundry wayes invented this was thought best calling to mind Lucilâ—…a the Queenes Maid which he often noted to be in some regard with her determined to procure her either for courtesie or reward to deliver it And verie early in the morning as soone as he could get readie addressed himselfe to the Court attending the comming of his mother thither as she vsually did but vnhappie Elâ—…osto it â—…ell not out so well with him that day for the Queeâ—…e distempered in her thoughts had her mind so much on loue as she enâ—…oyed no sleepe by night nor content by day so that she was enforced with weaknesse to keepe her Chamber to the great discomfort and griefe of all the Ladies But Cupid which is alwayes benigne to them that serve him brought him this pleasure It fortuned that Lucilla with whom Eliostoes chief desire was to have some speech passed into the Garden either to walke or for some occasion of the Queenes I know not whether whom he followed with a fearâ—…full countenance more like a novice in Loves schoole then any way skilfull in such enterprises yet whetâ—…ed on by the hopes which his heart conceyved he saluted the Gentlewoman who was not a little abashed to see the Prince so neare her nor could she iudge any cause of his comming vnto her Lucilla being willing to heare what he would say with a face blushing shewing a kind countenance she enquired of his health with other ordinarie prattle vnto which hee answered and returning her many thanks said Mistresse Lucilla though my deserts have never merited favour at your hands yet let me crave your furtherance in a sute for that I heare my mother is weake and not willing to bee troubled so that I cannot attaine vnto hir speech and besides my businesse of importance compelleth me very shortly to leave the Court to deliver this Letter into her owne hands and at your leysure to returne me such answer as she shall please to deliver in doing which you shal both do me a favour of great esteeme and cause me her eaâ—…ter not to wound this your kindnes with oblivion The Gentlewoman which did know where the Queenes shooe did wring her began immediatly to coniecture his disease and to shootâ—… at that which indeed she hit without any great aime supposing the Prince to be wounded with like affection was glad to become so happie a Messenger to her who could willingly vouchsafe him as partner of her best fortunes yet making a kind deniall she said Sir though I could willingly doe you more service then modestie will I acquaint you with yet it is not the part of our Country Gentlemen to make poasts of women having Pages fit for that purpose if I refuse your request attribute it to no discourtesie in me which am verie loath to offend her hâ—…ghnesse not knowing whether the sentence of your Paper may breed any discontent or no. That many Messengers have incurred displeasure yea and losse of life as the cause hath deserved I hope it is not vnknowne vnto you yet hath the harmlesse bearer knownâ—… as little what he carried as I desirous to know of you Sweet Lucilla quoth the Prince that it is wisdome by others harmes to beware I denie not yet notwithstanding it is discourtesie not to fulfill the request of a Gentleman which hath evermore shewed himselfe most dutifull vnto her Maiestie can I therfore frame my heart to preiudice that Ladie of incomparable vertue No no heavens never permit me life if in the least thought I once offend her Lucilla noting by the often change of his colour in telling his tale that his heart was not his owne but had some more businesse in hand then willingly he would reveale loath to move his patience by her deniall answered Sir perswading my self of your loyaltie I will for this time become your Embassador although it should impaire my credite with her Excellence whose favour I hold as deare as my life and that
miseries but the greatest extreames are least permanent Mars thus rufling in this martiall Isle was crost by counter-working of some other god for Cupid grieued that he could fasten no shafts in their flintie hearts whose eares were stopped from loues inâ—…icing by the continuall clattering of Armour a melodie not fitting his mothers humour sware solemnly to alter this or spend all the shafts in his quiuer Each part wearied with daiely massacres did for a certaine time conclude a Truce from Armes Thus had the wily wagge meanes to effect his stratageme The two chiefe of these two Factions had each a child the one a sonne the other a daughter both so graced with rare qualities of the minde â—…o endued with perfections of the bodie that they seemed the mirror of that age and wonder of their time To these ornaments was added the fâ—…iendly fauour of smiling Fortune so largely bestowed that the summe of Aristotles felicitie might seeme to bee in them accomplished Dihnohin for so was he named passing oft in this time of truce by the house of his fathers enemie and viewing Gatesinea so was shee called felt himselfe surprised with a suddaine change and so long hee carried loue in his eies that at last it sunke downe to his heart and his affection was so much the more vehement how much the lesse his loue seemed possible to be obtained Gatesinea seeing Dihnohin yong and faire began first earnestly to looke then secretly to like and lastly so deepely to loue that as her happe was without hope so were her passions without patience Thus these two louers vnited with an vnknown sympathy of affections smothering their secret thoughts in hatefull silence liu'd discontent not knowing how to cure so dangerous a disease Shee voide of comfort reuealed her loue to her nurce praising Dihnohin and complaining of her hard fortune and the vnhappie discord of those two noble families whose dissention was the onely obstacle of her desire The old nurce though sorie that her yong mistresse was so affected yet thinking it impossible to alter her setled resolution did apply a medicine of comfort to mitigate the extremity of her sorrow not vsing disswasions for well shee knew that striuing to quench the fire shee should more increase the flame But Dihnohin seeking accesse vnto his mistresse found for what â—…aÌ„not Loue atchieue that the chamber of Gatesinea being in the backe part of her fathers house stood towards a garden hauing one window looking into a little narrowe lane through which none or very fewe and they very seldome did passe When Titan hasting to plunge his fierie chariot in Theâ—…is lappe had gladded Oceanus with his returne the torâ—…ented Lâ—…uer taking a Lute in his hand went to the place which so late he found and there did in sad melodie sound foorth his sorrowes Gatâ—…sinea wondring to heare musicke at her windowe looked out and discerned her beloued Dihnohin whose affections when shee sawe like her owne shee was rauished with incredible ioyes and had presently vttered some signe of her content had not maidenly modestie and the presence of her nurce staid her who perswaded her that hauing Dihnohin at the aduantage shee should not so easily offer her loue lest hee might little esteeme it hauing so lightly got it The perplexed Louer repairing oft to his accustomed place with more pleasure to Gatesinea than content to himselfe resolued in the ende to make a full triall of his good or badde fortune and no more to vse sâ—…ch dumbe demonstrations Comming therefore late as he was wont to the window he tarried till he perceiued by some signes that his mistresse was come into her chamber accompanied only with her nurce then fingring his Lute and framing his voice he vtter'd this passionate Dittie making euery rest a deepe-fetched sigh Dihnohins Sâ—…nnet I rashly vâ—…w'd fâ—…nd wretch why did I so When I was free that Loue should not inthrall me Ah fâ—…lish bâ—…ast the cause of all my woe And this misfortune that dâ—…th now bâ—…fall me Loues God iâ—…cens'd did 〈◊〉 thâ—…t I should smart That done he shot and strâ—…cke me to the heart Sweet was the wound but bitter was the painâ—… Sweet is the bondage to so faire a creature Ifcoie thoughts dâ—…e not Beuties brightnesse staine Nor crueltie wrong so diuine a feature Louâ—… pittie mee and let it quite my cost By Loue to finde what I by Loue haue lost Heau'ns pride Earths wonder Natures pâ—…erelesse choice Faire harbour of my soules decâ—…ying gladnesse Yield him some ease whose faâ—…nt and trembling voice Doth sue for pittiâ—… ouerwhelm'd with sadnesse In thee it rests faire Saint to saue or spill His life whose loue is ledde by Reasons will Scarce had he finished this sorrowfull Sonnet when Gatesinea opening the casement cast him downe a Garland compacted of sundry sweet smelling floures which she had gathered in her fathers garden making that her afternoons taske Dihnohin taking vp the fauour which his Mistris had throwne him and redoubling many kisses on that eâ—…e-pleasing object departed the happiest aliue prowde that shee had applauded his humour and grac'd his conceit with so â—…ire a guerdon But Gatesinea restlesse in her passions could not be satisfied till she had conceiued some possible means of Dihnohins and her meeting Loue the whetstone of wit brought this possibilitie to a plaine likelihoode and proceeding a steppe farther made this likelihoode seeme a certaintie and thus it was she had a doore out of her chamber into the garden and out of the garden ther was a litle doore that opened into the narrow lane whither Dihnohin was accustomed to come who being that way let in they might as she thought there safely conferre of their loue This doubt onely rested how Dihnohin might be certified of Gatesineas deuise which taske the Nurse vndertooke promising such care in the deliuerie of heâ—… message that no suspition should thence arise Which promise she fully performed and knowing that great trouble might grow of that enterprise if she 〈◊〉 the enemy of Dihnohiâ—…s father and waiting on his daughter were seene openly to talke with Dihnohin she vsed such warinesse and secrecie that he was by her cerâ—…ified of Gatesinaes purpose without suspition or discouery of her intent Dihnohin liberally rewarded the nurse for her lucky tidings willing her to doe his humble duety to his mistris and assure her of his diligent attendaunce at the appoynted time place The two louers longing for nights approch thought Phoebus envying their blisse did slacke his course more than he was wont declining too slowly But when a generall darkenesse had ouerspread the earth and dayes light was eclipsed by Titans departure to the other Hemisphere Dihnohin comming to the garden doore was let in by the Nurse and louingly receiued of Gatâ—…sinea What greetings were vsed when the two louers met they can best conceiue that haue knowne like fortune But when common cerimonies of curtesie had passed betweene them they retired into the Arbour
Eliosto LIBIDINOSO Described in two Bookes VVherein Their imminent dangers are declared who guiding the course of their life by the compane of Affection either dash their Ship against most dangerous shelues or else attaine the Hauen with extreame Preiudice Written by IOHN HYND HOR ART POET. Aut prodesse volunt aut delectare Poëtae Aut simul iucunda idonea dicere vitae AT LONDON Printed by Valentine Simmes and are to be sold by Nathaniel Butter 1606. To the Right Honourable and truly ennobled Lord Philip Herbert Earle of Mountgomery and Baron of Shurland c. Iohn Hind wisheth all happinesse that either this world affoords or the heavens conteine DVtie bindeth and Affection compelleth me to demonstrate vnto the worlds view how deepely I stand ingaged vnto your Honor. My debt I must confesse is great and my vnsufficient estate of ever deserving the least fauors which have beene extended vnto mee vrgeâ—… the presentation of ELIOSTO vnto youâ—… aspect I desire but your favourable acceptance and good opinion wherewith protected let the envious pursue me with never so virulent and austere constructions I shal both contemne their persons and disdeigne their iudgements I know my owne worth and am privie to their ignorance where the wise and discreet sit as Censors there do I presume of favour But where fooles give in their suppositions there Ioves propitiation must be implor'd vnto whose benediction I commend you euermore Your Honours in all dutie IOHN HIND Ad Lectorem NOn hic Thesauros divitis ingêni Fâ—…cundae linguae neâ—… varios sonos Sed fortè insulsos accipies iocos Quos dum componâ—… nescio quatenùs 〈◊〉 â—…rimen parce precor mâ—…hi Errâ—…nti Lector Candide tu pâ—…tes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fâ—… tiâ—…iùs segâ—… Iohaâ—…nes Hind Uerses in praise of the Booke WHere Vertue takes his habitation There all the Graces like Pedisequae Doe burnish and adorne the roome The mind Then being simply pure is capable Of eu'ry noble forme and sendeth forth The Christall streames of pleasing Eloquenceâ—… Peruse this Worke Here hath Dame Arete Inclos'd herselfe and Art as swift as is The speedy Hind doth striue to beautifie Each Line and Leafe with Learnings attributes Reade then and Errours which are obuious Interpret mildely The great'st enemy That Science hath is obtuse Ignorance Alexander Burlacy Esquire ELIOSTO LIBIDINOSO IN the I le Cyprus there reigned a king called Amasias whose fortunate successe in warres against his foes and bountifull curtesie towards his friends in peace made him to be greatly feared and loved of all men This Amasias had to wife a Ladie called Philoclea by birth royall learned by education faire by nature by vertues famous so that it was hard to judge whether her beauty fortune or vertue wan the greatest commendations These two linked together in perfect love led their lives with such fortunate content that their subjects greatly reioyced to see their quiet disposition They had not beene married long but Fortune willing to encrease their happinesse lent them a sonne so adorned with the gifts of Nature as the perfection of the child greatly augmented the love of the parents and the joy of their Commons insomuch that the men of Cyprus to shew their inward joyes by outward actions made Bone-fires and Triumphes throughout all the Kingdome appointing Iustes and Turneis for the honor of their yong Prince whither resorted not onely his Nobles but also diverse Kings and Princes which were his neighbours willing to divulge the friendship which they bore to Amasias and to win fame and glorie by their prowesse and valour Amasias whose minde was fraught with princely liberality entertained the King Princes and Noble-men with such submisse courtesie and magnificall bountie that they all saw how willing he was to gratifie their good willes making a generall feast for his Subjects which continued by the space of fortie dayes all which time the solemnities were kept to the great content both of the Lords and Ladies there present This triumph being ended the assembliâ—… tooke their leave of Amasias and Philoclea their yong sonnâ—… who was called 〈◊〉 was nursed vp in the house to the great joy and content of the Parents Fortune envious of such happie successe willing to shewe some signe of her inconstancie turned her wheele and darkned their bright sâ—…nne of prosperitie with the mistie cloudes of mis-hap and miserie For it â—…o happened that the King and Queene purposing to take the ayâ—…e had appointed a day to hunt in one of their Forrests to sport themselves where having a Stag in chase through their hot pursute Philoclea fell from her Steed and was sore bruised who being by her guard speedily raiâ—…ed was immediately carried to the Pallace doore much weakned and wearied with sustaining such an intestine conflict at length such was the boy sterousnesse of deaths continuall battrie like vnripe fruit which abideth manie pluckings before it fall she striving with often plunges in her last and latest gaspe gave vp the ghost This sodaine event so appalled the Kings senses that he sunke from his seate in a swoune so as he was faine to be conveyed by his Nobles to bed where he lay by the space of three daies without speach His commons were as men in despaire so diversly distressed there was nothing but mourning and lamentation to be heard throughout â—…ll Cyprus their vertuous Queene bereaved of hir life their King and Soveraigne in great hazard this tragicall discourse of Fortune so daunted them as they went like shadowes not like humane creatures yet somewhat to comfort their heavie hearts they heard that Amasias was come to himselfe and had recovered his speech who as in a fury reached at a Rapier to have killd himself but his Peers being present stayed him from such a bloodie act perswading him to thinke that the common wealth consisted on his safetie and that those sheepe could not but perish that wanted a sheepheard wishing that if he would not live for himselfe yet he should have care of his Subjects and to put such fancies out of his mind sith in sores past helpe salves do not heale but hurt and in things past cure care is a corasive With these and such like peâ—…swasions the King was overcome and began somewhat to quiet his mind so that as soone as he could go abroad he caused his wife to be embalmed and wrapped in lead erecting a rich and famous Sepulchre wherein â—…e entâ—…bed her making such solemne obsequies at her funerall as alâ—… Cyprus might perceive that he 〈◊〉 did bewaile her death Amasias notwithstanding would once a day repaire to the tombe and there with watrie complaints deplore his misfortune coveting no other companion but sorrow nor any other harmony but griefe But leaving him to his dolorous passions let vs come to Eliosto his sonne being the chiefe cause of the description of this historie This Eliosto being fourteene yeares old was no lesse finely shaped then sweetly demeanoured a pattern of such
perceiving without casting of her water where she was pained shaped her this reply For mine owne part Madam as yet I never had experience of what force Love is and therefore ignorant of the disdaine and sorrow which such as you are sustaine yet neverthelesse I verily beleeve that the passion both of the one and the other is so great and vnmeasurable that the surplusage of the alterations that trouble and moleâ—…t the spirit is nothing in respect of this inexplicable distresse But I behold and perceive the imbecility of humane minds and how soone through vnlawful desires they are disquieted which with no lesse tranquilitie are digested in the stomacke and thoughts then the sea sands when they are encountred with the tumultuous blasts of powerfull Borâ—…as Ah Madam where is the great chastitie that made you once more renowned then all the Ladies in Lemnos I beseech you labour to containe your selfe in that honest estimation wherein hitherto you have lived to the great content both of your parents and frends But if Reason be curbd by incontinency and that you deliberate to follow the vice of wantonnesse for the accomplishment of your desires then by all meanes let diligent regard in such sort intimate secrecy that neither the house from whence you are descended be dishonoured nor your selfe merit infamy or ignominious punishment While they were thus talking a page brought word that divers Ladies were come to visit the Queene which caused them to surâ—…ease their talke When the Ladies salutations were ended and Cleodâ—…ra againe left to her cogitations she could not feele one minute of such ease as was requisite for vnâ—…essantly she rolled the stone with Sysiphus turned the wheele with Ixion and filled the bottomlesse tubbes with Belides in so much that when shee could finde no meanes to mittigate her maladie shee fell into these bitter complaints Ah Cleodora ah wretched Cleodora how art thou without reason which sufferest reason to yeelde vnto appetite wisedome to sensuall will and a free minde vnto servile love but I perceive when the Iviâ—… risâ—…th it wreatheth about the Elâ—…e when the Hop groweth hie it hath neede of a poale and when virgins waxe in yeares they follow that which belongeth to their youth Love love yâ—…a but they love expecting some good hap alas both love and live without all hope for Eliosto is my sonne and yet if he were not he liketh not me Sith then Cleodora thou art pinched and hast none to pittie thy passions dissemble thy affection though it shorten thy life For better it were to die with griefe then to live with shame The spunge is full of water yet is not seene the leafe of the tree Alpina though it be wet looks always dry a wise lover be she never so much tormented behaves herself as thogh she were not toucht Yea but fire cannot be hid in the flax without smoke nor musk in the bosome without smell nor love in the breast without suspicion Then seeke some meanes to manifest thy love to Eliosto for as the stone Draconites can by no means be polished vnlesse the Lapidarie burne it so thy mimd can by no medcine be cured vnlesse Eliosto ease it Thus resolved without longer stay she called vnto her Lucilla her chiefe attendant who from her infancie had bin brought vp with her In this Lucilla shee conceyved her greatest hope vnto whom she said Lucilla since I had reason to discerne good from evill thou knowest how I have tendered thee and how willing I would be to seeke thy preferment make triall when thou please so shalt thou be assured of that which justly thou maist hold in suspence But leaving these conjuring words I must Lucilla commit vnto thy secrecies a matter of import whereon my honour and reputation dependeth for I tell thee Lucilla I have made choyse of thee amongst all those which I may commaund as of her I love and have best cause so to doe having had such societie else should I rather choose to die ten thousand deaths then reveale it Luciâ—…la which had her whole hope of good from the Queene hearing her speeches with teares standing in her eyes proceeding of joy for the honour done her by the Queene protested vnto her by heavens Maker and what else he framed to be secret in her determinations and doe her best endevour to accomplish whatsoever shee commanded Cleodora taking her word for currant in whom she never found deceit said Lucilla that it is incident to all creatures in their kind to love I know thy wittes be not so simple but thou canst conceive and he that made vs directeth our likings as best pleaseth him be it Prince or Beggar from the highest to the simplest and he my Lucilla hath linked my liking albeit extraordinarily to a most bravâ—… Gentleman on whom I think if Affection which is blind deceive me not is worthy to be favoured of the most beautifull To keepe thee with idle speeches is now no time having other matters enow whereon wee must discourse therefore that thou mayst know to whom my love is intended Eliosto my sonne is he Eliosto famous for his valour renowned for his bountie and admired for his courtesie He he Lucilla is the joy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot live nor I wil not live neither may I live such is the service which my heart hath vowed in love vnto him therfore if thou love me as thou hast professd by thy industrie seeke to save my life which cannot but perish in not obtaining my desires Lucilla listning to her discourse willing to become second in this tragedie had her braines alreadie beaten in the search of the charge committed vnto her yet would she not sodainâ—…ly answer any thing Considering how displeasing speeches spoken out of time be to lovers corasives yet chering the Queene she requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which willingly she granted affying greatly in her whose jâ—…dgement above all others she esteemed most sound and perfect whom to her studie we leave Eliosto by reason of the affable countenance and courteous vsage wherewith dayly she did gratifie him had his intrailes so fried with the scorching flames of his methoâ—…s beautie O inspeakable wickednesse that his colour was châ—…nged and his streâ—…gth impaired and he through great griefe â—…nd extremity of his love enforced to withdraw himselfe into his Chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts he determined to seeke her favour and then by contrary motions fearing the successe of his suit by reason of affinitie which might give cause of great dislike and disparagement thereof said Ah thrice vnfortunate Eliosto what strange fits be these that burne thee with heate and yet thou shakest with cold thy body in a shivering sweate and in a flaming ice melting like wax and yet as hard as Adaâ—…ant Is it love then woulde it were death for likeher it is thou shalt loose
Madame if a blinde body may catch a Hare I may happen to come somwhat neere the exposition of this your fancie The wood you went in is the Court the nettes the eyes and tongues of your well-willers that haue no power to take sure hold of your affectiō now the great water may be the sea and the golden Line the yong Prince that may cary your deuotion from his father for if I be not much deceiued he hath you by the hart whatsoeuer it was that held you by the middle Vnhappy wench quoth Cleodora thou commest too neere that hittest the marke so right but yet maist thou be deceiu'd in one point thogh not in fom other I haue passed the nets that true and I am caught it is not vntrue but that he either wil or shall cancell my loue to the King that I feare will not fall out But the Gods know all to whom only will I leaue it Foes may be friends and kindnes where it lighteth doth more than all the worlde besides His presence may please the purest eye and for his wit I heard my Lord wonder at it for his bountie our Court speaketh of it and for his vertue who dooth not see it But for his loue happy is shee that shall enioy it for princely wisedome with honourable bountie shewes a diuine spirite in an excellent nature and of such a temper I holde him and for such a one I loue him and will euer honour him though I haue neuer the fruition of my desires But leauing this I pray thee tell mee what saide my sonne when he deliuered these letters vnto thee Madame to say trueth nothing touching his loue but importuned with such earnestnesse for the presenting of them vnto your handes as might haue made many prowd to doe so charitable a deede crauing it with wordes so pittifull and lookes so ruthfull For mine owne parte my heart imagining by your affection that the destinies which caused your griefe had fettered him and well knowing where loue is vnited there ones weale is the others good though I were hardly wonne to the same yet at length I vndertooke the hazard of your good wil promising to returne him an answer thereof wherein without the graunt of your consent I shall breake promise Oh Lucilla doubtest thou of my consent in answering his kinde Letters for whose sake I haue indured so many nights of vnrest and carefull dayes No Heauens neuer fauour me with good if I doe not paralell his affection to the vtmost of my power Therefore as thou hast played the aduocate so make I thee my principal and chiefe Secretary peruse these lines and in equitie consider if that his wound deserue not to be tented with pittie then let mee see thy skill in inditing to the which thou shalt haue my helpe Prorogue no longer the time hunger is a sharpe sawce to those that haue good stomackes and I measuring his desires by mine owne imagine that meate can not be more pleasing to the hungry then the vnexspected tydings of consent from his new acknowledged Loue. Soft fire Madam said Lucilla makes the sweetst mault say our huswiues You are far wide what no sooner at the stile but ouer h◅ste maks waste looke before you leape lest a blocke vnthoght of chance to breake your shinnes What if these letters impart his loue how are you thereof assured men are subtile can cast many colors to deceiue women al is not gold that glisters vnder the greenest grasse lurks the poisoned adder the crocodile sheades most teares when he seeketh most to deceiue Trie ere you trust Madam repentan◅e comes too late therefore howsoeuer you affect him conceale it lightly wonne is as lightly lost The Laborer that gameth his mony by hard toile is more chary in parting therewith than the purloyning thiefe or the riotous youth which by subtill practises draweth all he can from his kinde parents to maintaine his dissolute expences Let him bite on the bridle a while yet gently line his curbe that he g◅ll not a little thing pleaseth a childe and a good countenaunce is wo◅rth golde to him that regardeth it as he professeth weigh your owne estate who is Queene of Cyprus and his mother with the basenes of the fact consider what a corrasiue this loue of yours wil be to the king and if once discouered with what detestation amongst all men you shall liue I speake this for the disparagement if it be possible of his loue and to draw your liking from him if otherwise in such sort to temper your affection that to both your contents you may long enioy it and besides so moderate your lookes that neyther the lightnesse nor the liberall bestowing thereof may minister to the iealous heads any occasion of mistrust For princes are great markes vpon whom many eyes are intended If therefore you are once perceiued what perill either part may procure your wisedom can best conceiue Thus in dutie haue I spoken and deliuered a grosse aduise which I referre to your graces better consideration Well hast thou said quoth the Queene but what auaileth counc◅ll to a desperate minde No more than he that seeking to quench the flame powreth thereinto oyle Thy good regard hath so ballaunced each inconuenience incident to both our estates that by no meanes I am able to requite the specialitie of thy good will Now if thou canst aswell deuise howe we may enjoy our delight without which wee perplexed can not long endure what is it that Cleodora shall euer be mistres◅e of which Lucilla shall not haue at her commaund Then as thou tenderest my good bethink thee of some remedy for such is my love vnto him as that nothing may extinguish it Shal I then by writing answer his leters or no In this I will be ruled by thee how gladly soeuer I wish his comfort in whome of all earthly creatures consisteth my happinesse Experience is the best wisedome saide Lucilla who would euer haue beleeued Loues power to be of such effect how imperious soeuer he seemed had the violence of this attempt in silence beene obfuscated but I am thereby compelled to recant my heresie and say Loue is a god or how is it possib◅e hee should commaund Princes Whereas you haue referred the answer of Eliostoes letters to me I was neuer so voyde of reason or so desirous to be your Counsellor as to take so great a matter vppon me yet shall I so please it you to heare me deliuer my simple opinion as I would doe my selfe in the like action The olde wiues say That they which feede with the diuell must haue a long spoone and they that goe about to maister Loue had neede of many good and sufficient precepts Disswade your grace since I am not able I will not for I see it is in vaine neither would I wish you to giue him his answer by writing for a paper is soone lost and lost vnto whose finding it shal come it is
belong None might craue peculiar riâ—…ht Sith they were of equall might He said Beauty ne're preuailed But where Loue the heart assailed Beautie for it selfe admired His shafts causde to be desired For where Loue bredno remorse There had Beautie little fâ—…rce Psyche was more faire then any Lou'd of few though lik't of many Yet so lik't that none affected Sisters sped but shee reiected Yet quoth Beautie Psyche gaind Cupids heart to her enchainde Where was then his wonted might Uanquish'd by a womans sight Thus fell Loue into a trip Thus shee gald him with a quip He said t' was his owne prâ—…curement Shee said it waâ—… her allurement Loue said Beautie pleasd the eie But he wrought hearts sympathie Hee said heart when eie had viewd Was by Beauties force subdu'd He said Beauty soone decaid Shee sâ—…id Loue no longer staid Then while beautie was in prime Thus did both giue place to Time Cupid grieu'd with these replies Fram'd by her in taunting wise Sware by dreadfull Stygian lake Greatest vâ—…w that Gods can make That he would no more discend Till he did this quarrell end Vowing by his godheads might Beauties darlings to despite Thus he saâ—…es and vp he flâ—…es Swiftly through the Empire skies If meâ—… might this strife decide As by men it should be tride Then would all agree in one Beautie can preuaile alone Beautie able to â—…thrall Eies and heart and thoughts and al Yâ—…t three powers in one aâ—…enting Stroke mine heart heart soone releâ—…ting Eyeâ—… saw beauty and admirde it Loue saw heart through eyes he fir'd it But faire lookes did first constraine Cupids shafts to shape my paine Fairer vertue Beauties â—…ewell Bade me not pronounce Loue cruell Loue that forc'd me to affect Beauties worth by Vertue deckâ—… Then O three of all the chiefe Ease at last my â—…oathed griefe The Queene hearing all those extreames to growe from affection was in such sort by them captiuated that vailing top-gallant she returned to Eliosto this finall and comfortable resolution The flaxe gentle Eliosto soone flameth and yeeldes but a flash the kinde mushrome soone ripens and as soone rottes the best Emphemerum in the riuer Hippanis is made in a moment and marrd in a minute but contrariwise it must be immoderate heate that engendreth the Salamander which ingendred neuer dieth vntil the fire be extinguished Long time it is before the Lawrell flourisheth which flourishing neuer fadeth with summers blaze or falleth with winters blast The Elephant is borne tenne yeares in the dammes belly but once brought foorth liueth three hundred Therefore thinke me not vnworthie to be worne Eliosto because so long to be wooed For light beliâ—…fe hath commonly light loue The fish Alphya is engendred with a small showre of raine and therfore is counted no meate for a veluet mouth But good chaffer is not so soone cheapned that which is deere of price is deere and pretious yea that Castle which beares most brunt is deemed most worthy when it is scaled Neither doe I yet condescend to thy petition vnlesse I were pushed therto by thy pâ—…mise that thou wilt be as faithfull ' as thy protestations are faire Not like the Lightning which flasheth and presently â—…adeth Nor resembling the stone Mâ—…hrax which is of a rose colour but scorched with 〈◊〉 beams becomes chargeable but rather immitating the jem Thraâ—…ias most burning when thou 〈◊〉 ouerwhelmed with roaring and raging disasters On which conditions thy promises placing â—…nd reposing the irremoâ—…eable foundation of my faithsull refolution I make thy person the prison of my heart and not only vâ—…uchsafe thee of some graâ—…ts of grant but thâ—…t thou mayst assure thy selfe the feedes of thy sute to haue beene sowne in a fertile soile for euery graine of Loue buried in my breast I will yeeld thee an eare of fifty corns With that the impatient Louers as if Mars had combatted with Dâ—…me Cytherea for â—…uffring her Boy to make him the marke of his game rose in armes where Loue conquered Pleasure Desire tooke incestuous Delight captiue and litle Cupid like a valiant carpet knight flew into Uenus his mothers bosome Lucilla suspecting no lesse was thunder-stricken with that sodâ—…ine and sorrowfull imagination that bursting out of an extasie wherein she had long stoode like one beholding 〈◊〉 head lamenting as if shee woulde haue died and in dying made an attonement with Death she sate weeping and wailing for that outragious accident wringing her liliâ—… white handes and fixing her blubbered eyes on the comfortlesse ground clad in sable habite witnessing her hearts sadnesse and stiâ—…l crying on the names of Eliosto and Cleodora stil casting out woful inuectiues against the Destinies calling her selfe a most accursed wretch born vnder such vnfortunate planets with that she might heare certaine trumpets sound whereby shee gathered as it was indeede that the King was returning from hunting giuing therefore these Louâ—…rs drenâ—…ht in the full channell of Pleasure this aduertisement for that time they parted Now Eliosto after this was more impatient in his passions For loue so fiercely assayled him that neither Company nor Musike could mittigate his maâ—…yrdome bâ—…t did rather far increase his maladie Shame would not let him craue counsell in this case nor feare of his fathers displeasure reveale it to any friend but was faine to make a Secretary of himselfe and to participate his thoughts with his owne troubled mind Liuing thus a day or two distracted he called to minde the counsell of Cleodora which was that he should insinuate himselfe into the fauor of her maid Lucilla who both could and would pleasure them in their loues Her therefore hee determined to make one of his câ—…mplices not for that hee certainely thence expected helpe neither meant desperately to detect his intâ—…mate secrets without some hope but as the Merchant when with the cruell confederacie of the rocke and surges rage the ship like to a weake stickler hauing all his plancke-ribs rent and riuen asunder committeth his wearied body to the conuoy of a floating boorde as the souldier who being hemmed in on euery side with his enemies rankes neither stands amazed with feare yeelding his naked breasts to the mercilesse jaueline nor desperately rusheth against the poynt of the pike which is not fortitude but folly but to perfourme Natures iniunctions gathereth him selfe wisely within his weapon and striueth with courage to acquite him selfe valiantly Or as the wise phisition which forsaketh not his patient though hee can not finde any soueraigne medicine for his maladie but ministreth such as meere coniectures teach him lest hee discoraged should deliuer to death his patient discomforted Euen so Eliosto thinking to prooue Lucilla though not sure to preuaile sent for her who speedily comming he courteously entertained and with these perswasions indeuoured to make her a fauourite to his purposes To whom as they sate together in his lodging Friend Lucilla quoth the Prince for so your courtesie in speedy comming at my request willeth me to call
house awaked by her sodaine out-cry rose from their rest and first Gatesineaes father started vp whose troubled thoughts presaged some future mishap Nor is it maruell that he did darkely foreknow though he could not plainly foresee so hard a chance for as the smoke issues before the fire flames the lightning is seene before the thunder be heard the Sea swell before a teÌ„pest arise so the minde of man whose continuall motion is an infallible argument of a diuine and immortall essence droopes before danger The dismaied olde man slipping on his night-gowne hastened his aged steps toward his daughters chamber where finding her dead holding the bloody knife in her hand and seeing his enemies sonne in the same bed with her slaine likewise what hee thought I referre to those that hauing one only jewell their liues solace and soules comfort are thereof depriued by the malice of fortune But he distracted with sundry passions sometimes lamented his daughters misfortune sometimes he threatened the trembling nurce then he bewailed the downefall of his house wanting an heire and the extinguished memorie of his name for lacke of succession The silly woman falling on her knees before him besought him to deferre his pretended reuenge on her till shee had vnfolded the cause and manner of that sorrowfull euent which granted shee rehearsed their loues meetings secret nuptials his second mariage enforced by his angry fathers threats and her desperate resolution of reuenge This short and sorrowfull discourse thus finished shee halfe dead with age before nowe cleane dead with feare yielded her spirit to him which gaue it The next morning when the report of this rare misfortune was bruted through the citie the streete wherein Gatesineaes father dwelt was so pestered with the concourse of people that scarce any passage could bee found This thus passing for currant newes through euery mans mouth Dihnohins father was soone aduertised of it by the generall rumor who though astonished â—… so rare a chance yet suffered this misfortune with more courage than his yeeres could affoard knowing that his enemies fortune was no better than his owne Thus did the parents beare the childrens happe whose ghosts are nowe mette in the shadie groue of Mirtle trees fronting the Elyzian fieldes that dreadfull groue the eternall mansion of those vnhappy louers which witnesse their loyaltie to Loues hestes by sacrificing their owne blood and making their owne bodies oblations and it was time for till then his Deitie was despised his Altars emptie his Temples not frequented This groue planted is in Hell Darker groue was neuer seene Where life-loathing Louers dwell Haplesse haue those Louers beene Such oblations beauties treasure Loue receiues with ioy and pleasure But this onely chance did mollifie their indurate hearts which were before so inflamed with priuate malice that they loathed publike agreement But seeing in this infortunate couple the lamentable effects of their dissention they suddainly left Armes ioyning their hands whose hearts had beene so long disioyned they let fall their weapons embraced concord the soueraigne stay of common weales These two sorrowfull fathers earstfoes and now by this misfortune made friends were chiefe mourners at their childrens funerals who beeing vnited by Loues lawes had Loues right for though their mindes were at their deaths diuided yet were their bodies both in one tombe inclosed Amazias was not so much perplexed at the information of these tidings as well pleased that at length these seditious stormes of ambitious enuie were through an inuiolable league of amitiâ—… qualified and quietly ended The King as hee himselfe thought thus blest with earthly fauours doubted no misfortune for he could see no way for him to mishap nay if hee had beene wise he might the more haue feared miserie in that he was so fully pampered vp with felicitie Fortune yea fortune in fauouring him made him most infortunate Syren-like hiding vnder musicke miserie vnder pleasure paine vnder mirth mourning like the sugred honie-combe which while a man toucheth hee is stung with Bees Shee presenteth faire shapes which prooue but fading shadowes shee proffereth mountaines and perhaps keepeth promise but the gaines of these golden mines is losse and miserie None rode on Seianus horse which got not some mishap none toucht the gold 〈◊〉 Tholossa whom some disaster chance likewise did not assaile neither hath any bin aduanced by Fortune which in time hath not bin crossed with some haplesse calamitie These things the King found answerable vnto veritie the issue whereof brought no lesse vnto him than the vtter ruine and suddaine confusion of his kingdome For Rawcikew liuing in his court noting as I said before Eliostoes entertainment by Cleodora his more than ordinarie obseruation of dutie her affectionate opinion of him and his assiduate repaire vnto her lodging and his long abode with her gathered by these circumstances how that the conuoy of their proceedings was but for the obscuritie of affection with whom beyond credit it was most brutish and out of measure vnreasonable Wherefore continuing his vigilant obseruations in the ende he discouered the very secrecie of their attempts to the great satisfaction of his blood-thirstie spirits Nowe quoth hee since their sinnes are come to the ripenesse of their abomination I vowe by that bright Lampe Heauens ornament that speedie information shall bee giuen to the King that so their wanton and lasciuious incontinencie may bee liable to the punishing racke of iustices seueritie and for this purpose hee attending the benigne leisure of opportunitie it chanced as Amazias two or three daies after walked towards the stable for the viewe of his horse that then the infortunate Prince blinded with the folly of impetuous concupiscence assailed his mother after the inordinate pleasures which haue beene heretofore sufficiently declared But their Argus which slept not at all in a furious extasie posting to the king presently coÌ„ducted him to such a place where he was the perfect spectator of their most vitious dâ—…ested practises The king hardly moderating the vehemency of his rage from breaking the doore vpon them betooke himselfe to his closet where beeing cumbered with cholerike cogitations and perplexed with despitefull passions inflamed with wrathful fury he fel into these termes Now quoth he I prooue by experience the saying of Sophocles to be true that the man which hath many children shall neuer liue without some mirth nor die without some sorrow for if they be vertuous he shall haue cause wherof to reioyce if vicious whereof to be sad which saying by this spectacle I trie performed in my selfe for I haue but one childe which should haue beene the inheritour of my kingdome I see so addicted vnto vanitie that hee is a fretting corrasiue to my wounded heart For what griefe is there more pinching what crosse more pernitious what paine more griping what plague more combersome yea what trouble can torment me worse than to see my sonne to haue consumed his time in ryot after this manner folowing