great discourse of his Fortune or to say truer of his folly which could not haue bin hurtfull vnto him if hee had followed my aduise aswell as he asked it But it is ordinary especially with those who are in Loue to aske counsell then when as for nothing in the world they would forbeare to doe that which they haue in their minde I left no History either diuine or humane which was within my knowledge and to purpose that I did not lay before him exagerating the euils which did proceede from like enterprises But Mireno who had already firmely determined to follow his purpose and thinking that I was not apt for his designe by litle litle forbare to visit me Quickly did he forbeare to accompany me in walking wee went no more by day to publicke conuersations nor by night to priuate A notable error in the condition of men whose loues and friendships are kept by flattery and lost by truth I did beare Mireno's absence with great impatience and hee had no feeling of his liuing without me because Lucrece being now his whole soule could not suffer that hee should haue another Mireno hauing thus shaken me off communicateth his busines with a third who was so common a friend vnto vs both that when I wanted Mireno or Mireno wanted me we did seeke one the other at his house This man was not so considerate as I was contrariwise there was no kinde of danger into which he would not precipitate himselfe to pleasure his friend such friends are like powder in Festiuall dayes which to reioyce others spendeth it selfe This made me disguise my selfe to follow them in the night and one time aboue the rest when I had more patience and they lesse consideration then ordinary I sawe how they set a Ladder to a window of a Tower which discouered a spacious prospect into the Sea ouer a Garden of Telemaquus I stayed the end not to be answered what they did but to see if I could serue in any stead in the importance of this danger and my heart did not deceiue me although Mireno who was within it did deceiue me For after the first sleepe then when as with lesse force hee vanquisheth the cares of a master of a family I heard a noyse and presently I sawe Mireno comming downe a Ladder and Aurelio for so was he called with whome he was accompanied receiuing him in his armes perswaded him to flye hardly were they out of the street when as a seruant loosing the Ladder let it fall I runne to the fall thereof and aswell as I could gathering it vp stepped behind a corner from whence I espied Telemaquus in his shirt hauing his Sword naked in one hand and a Candle in the other and looking out at the windowe of the Tower if he could discerne any thing vpon the ground of that which he had heard I crept softly to the gate and harkening what was said in this family where there was this alaram I vnderstood that the disgrace of our two Louers was taken to bee the industry of Robbers In this they were not deceiued for those are no smal theeues who steale good name rob away honour I returned much contented to my house and slept but euill in this care The morning being come I sent for Mireno with whom hauing discoursed of diuers matters I asked what newes of Lucrece hee tolde me he did not speake with her For all wicked secrets doe for the most part conceale themselues from true friends I said then vnto him that I wondred he would dissemble a thing so knowne Telemaquus her Husband being come vnto my house to tell me that he had heard him within his that looking out of a windowe of a Tower he had seene him goe downe by a Ladder Mireno astonished and wondring at my relation confessed vnto me what had passed and how Lucrece hauing yeelded vnto his Letters messages and seruices had made him master of her liberty yeelding vnto him the treasure which was so euill kept by Telemaquus his hundred eyes Which was the cause why I placed this Hiroglifique of Argus and Mercury with this saying of Strossa Subtle loue deceiueth Iealousie Hee proceeded to tell me that when Telemaquus was asleepe they talked together in a Garden into which hee entred by a Ladder made of cordes which Aurelio kept vnto whome onely hee had imparted this secret hauing found me so auerse from succouring him I asked what hee had done with the ladder hee tolde me that from the leauing of that proceeded Telemaquusses aduertisement The letting him see it I tolde him that Telemaquus knew nothing neither had the Ladder serued as an occasion to discouer any thing vnto him And letting him see the seruice which I had done him I did begin to coniure him that hee would in these terms leaue the perilous successe which hee ought to expect from the pursute of this designe seeing that Telemaquus at the least had notice that his Wife was not by his side when there was noyse in the Lodging So that hee promised me he would not goe any more thether and the more to diuert him from going thether hee resolued to absent himselfe from Barcelon I confirmed him in this resolution because that truely there is nothing which so much ecclipseth the desire of Louers as an interposed distance of place betweene them yet it was not needfull because by that time Mireno disposed himselfe to depart Telemaquus already changed his dwelling from this Citty vnto the little place where he was marryed And this was a memorable obseruation Mireno loosing the ordinary view of his Lucrece lost her also out of his thought and confirmed his Loue better then euer to Erisila shee was that other Lady whom I in the beginning of my discourse I said hee had loued who againe loued him better and with more pleasure then before because that Loue which succeedeth after iealousie is more violent besides the amiable parts which were in Mireno who was of a goodly stature of great spirit and an illustrious blood of a free condition amiable both a horsbacke and a foot and renowned beyond all of his age for all Military exercise As for his face behold this Picture wherein I assure you the Painter was no flatterer I keepe it heere for my comfort although it bee alwayes present in my soule as you may iudge by these wordes following Before his Eyes in a Dreame sad Hector did appeare Because that truely his image did neuer abandon my sight but either sleeping or waking he was represented to my eyes In effect we fell into our olde imwardnes but in the midst of this peace the loue of Telemaquus had so much power ouer him that vanquished with his wiues Prayers he brought her againe to Barcelon where she was no sooner seene by Mireno but the ancient flames of his loue blowing away the ashes into the winde discouered themselues more liuely And I fearing what might happen by this
this manner The colour which came into Nisa's face when shee heard Pamphilus his wordes cannot bee compared but vnto the red Rose with milken leaues although it be a Poeticall terme and borrowed of the same author yet feyning not to vnderstand what he said shee answered that if it were any of her friends shee would indeauour at the least to bring it about that shee should knowe his euill that thereupon he might lay the foundation of his remedy I am in that estate said Pamphilus that I dare not so much as sigh or breath out her name yet I can shew you her portrature who is the originall cause of my misfortune and for whose sake I am come from my own Country into yours where I remaine an humble seruant of your house and doe thinke my selfe most happy to be so although I am a Knight and equall vnto her whome you call your friend and with whome I should haue bin now marryed if my Father had liued vntill this day for onely his Death barred me of this happines And in saying these wordes Pamphilus gaue her her Picture which had bin drawne by the most excellent Painter of our time called Philip of Lianho whose pensill oftentimes durst compare with Nature herselfe who out of meere enuy vnto him for that as it seemed shortned his dayes Yet Nisa through whose veynes ran a colde shiuering affirmed that shee did not know the face I doe not wonder said Pamphilus that the auntient Philosopher hath deliuered his opinion that it is a very hard matter to know ones selfe Putting this sentence Know thy selfe in the fronts of the most famous Temples Yet see another more naturall the knowledge wherof you caÌ„not deny Saying this he reached her a very faire looking-glasse Nisa seeing her face within the Christall could no longer suffer his discourse nor the Knights presence But rising vp in collor said vnto him in great anger as she went away thy boldnes shall cost thee thy life Can it bee better imployed answered Pamphilus then for your beauty to be ended She answered well said the Pilgrim if shee had accomplished what she said She accomplished it so ill replied Celio that within a fewe dayes shee loued him better then she loued herselfe prouing the Verse of the famous Poet Dant to bee infallibly true that Loue excuseth no one who is beloued from louing But how came it said the Pilgrim that a Mayd should Loue who had harkened with so much disdaine in the beginning Because answered Celio that all Mayds for their first answer consult with shame and for their second consult with weaknes Although for my owne part I thinke that Pamphilus dispairing of his remedy helped himselfe with charmes I cannot beleeue so answered Pamphilus a man hath liberty to Loue and not to loue as it seemeth good vnto himselfe and it seemes to bee a terrible and cruell thing that a chast woman should be violently constrained to Loue whether shee would or no Charmes and witchcrafts may peraduenture moue perswade and tempt without suffering to be in rest and with these exteriour perswasions make one yeeld vnto the prayers and teares of a Louer Yet for all this it cannot be said that shee is constrained but that of her good will shee giueth consent to her desire suffering her selfe rather to bee vanquished by her owne proper nature then by the force of any Art Magicke Wherefore it is an euident folly in those which Loue to complaine that they are violently constrained will they nill they to follow their Loues because God neuer suffeteth that the poâ—er of free-will should bee taken from Man and if any one say hee hath bin forced by Diabolicall perswasions it may be answered hee was not forced in his reason but in his concupiscence Neither is it to be beleeued that a Knight a Christian wise young and braue Gentleman would helpe himselfe with such wicked meanes to attaine his ends It is not likely answered Celio and it may be that hee witnessing his fidelity by other seruices obliged her to condiscend vnto his will for Nisa is not the onely woman in this world subiect to this weaknes Neuertheles behold the strange accident which happened vnto them both as a beginning of their misfortunes for it being spoken at Madreele that Pamphilus was come from Flanders the newes thereof came vnto my Fathers eares who desirous to make him his Son in Law in fauour of the ancient acquaintance and loue he had with his Father and because that it had been formerly agreed betweene them one day tolde her that hee was resolued to Marry her not naming vnto whome and thereupon writing to Madreele to Pamphilus his Mother intreating her to send him to Toledo congratulating also with her her Sonnes happy return and the prosperous successe of his affaires and remembred vnto her the amitie which he had contracted with her husband his Father The sad Nisa who already desperatly loued Pamphilus tolde him that her Father would marry her and the Knight who was designed for her Husband was shortly to come from Madreele vnto their house but shee knew nothing in particuler more of him but that he was a braue Soldier who lately came out of Flanders Pamphilus ignorant that hee was the person who was meant fell into great extremity at the newes and after many teares and other follies hee said he was resolued to be gone for his heart would neuer suffer him to see a new seruant vnto his Mistris in this house A strange and neuer heard of story that a man should bee iealous of himselfe and flye from his owne presence Nisa who now thought it as impossible for her to bee without Pamphilus as the Earth without water Fire without matter to burne or as the Coelestiall harmony without their first mouer said vnto him in weeping that shee would haue him take her away with him and that she would follow him ouer the world yet vpon this condition that hee should sweare solemnly neuer to loose the respect which was due vnto her honour which oath being taken by Pamphilus without any consideration of the danger which might happen he made choyse of a darke night by a Garden which answereth vpon the Riner tooke her from the house and by the same riuer went from the Towne carrying her in his Barke vntill he came vnto those Mountaines which are called Stsla This was it which hee writ afterwards from Valence to a friend of his of Saragossa Now followeth the beginning of my peregrination which hauing bin to long in this History I will briefly relate At the dolourous Letter which was written to me of this successe which was discouered so soone as Pamphilus was gone from Toledo I came from Salamanqua to my fathers house which I found all in mourning for the losse of my Sister My Father in few words obliged me to reuenge it which I swore that I would with many wordes as free as his were graue and to
who most complained of his cruelty and had the truest feeling of it was Tiberia his Sister who was both faire and discreet aboue all the Ladies in Valence who affecting the gentlenes and faire spirit of our vnfortunate Pilgrim did not see but by his eyes and did not breath but from him Iacinth told them that Pamphilus was mad and that it was necessary hee should be cured before the disease increased too farre The Father of this Knight who was very Learned blamed exceedingly this precipite course saying that in all infirmities there was nothing more dangerous then Physicke out of season and swore that he should be had out of the Hospitall to bee cured in his house Tiberia confirmed this piety saying that reward due vnto him they being not so poore but that they had meanes sufficient to haue him cured in their house with greater care of his health and lesse scandall to his honour Iacinth replyed that he was a Stranger that no body knew him But all the houshold were so much against him blaming him for ingratitude especially his Father his Sister that he was constrayned to tell them what he knew Whereat in imagining the cause all of them were astonished and wondred They thought that Pamphilus was a spy who went disguised vnder the habite of a Pilgrim and that fearing to be knowne by some one hee vsed this subtilty to saue his life for although he spake Spanish neuerthelesse by his faire face and exceeding beauty he seemed a stranger and by his actions a Gentleman With this confession Iacinth remained in their good opinion the house was much troubled and Tiberia was full of pittifull griefe and care for Pamphilus his life who being in Prison among the mad folkes in the iudgement of many the very center of greatest misery imagined himselfe to bee in most glorious happines To this new Madman the more ancient gaue place and Pamphilus with diuers faynings counterfetings of his face endeauoured to expresse his madnes which fashion of his seeming vnto them as tokens of rashnes they put him into the Prison with Irons on his handes where to confirme them the more in their opinion of his madnes hee said so many wordes so farre from the matter that hee did merit a beleefe There he stayed some fewe dayes before he could see his beloued Nisa suffering most insupportable discommodities difficult to be spoken and almost impossible to bee beleeued In the meane time Celio went by Saragosse into France to finde his beautifull and beloued Finia whom hee had lost where being come hee heard the newes of the Peace which was proclaimed betweene the two Nations which made him rest that night with more contentment out of the facility which it brought to his designe staying for the Light of the morning to cleere his passage ouer the Mountaines into France The end of the Second Booke The Third Booke WHilest the sad and afflicted Celio entred into France by the Mountaines of Iaca to see if hee could finde his deere Finia our Pilgrim Pamphilus hauing gotten out of the Prison as a mad man whose fury was ouer was admitted to the table where others did eate where also sate his saire Nisa neare vnto whom he did alwaies indeauour to sit and there and in all other conuenient places he tolde her his Fortunes She blamed him for putting himselfe into this place although shee did acknowledge how she was tyed vnto him for this his great folly Pamphilus as a true I ouer who onely aymed at the end of his loue which was to Marry her and who had sworne by a thousand oathes to resist the violence of his desires vntill a lawfull marriage would suffer him to accomplish them said vnto her in comforting her that if shee had suffered this misery for him and that they ought to be all one there was no reason but hee should haue his part of this misery to the end that equall in all thinges their marriage might bee without aduantage of one side or other and that his Loue vnto her did preuaile so farre as not to let passe one day without seeing her notwithstanding any danger and although his honour were thereby in hazard The seruants of the house did not hinder their speaking together because that Nisa being apparelled like a man and hauing a care that her hayre should not discouer her sexe euery body did beleeue that she was as she seemed to bee For although that her beauty were extreame yet the world hath not any so great but it appeareth little being much neglected especially seeing that if Art doe not polish the beautifullest and finest Diamonds and that they bee not set in golde with inamilling and other necessary ornaments they shew not the luster grace nor beauty which they haue being artificially cut and set in a foyle by cunning workmen The misery of this kinde of life seemed vnto our two Louers as nothing in regard of the former trauels which they had suffered as I haue heard it often said by many and I my selfe know by experience that if two Louers may see and speake together they haue no feeling of the miseries which doe serue them as meanes to attaine thereunto Oh what will not those which Loue resolue of What is it which doth not seeme possible vnto them Whar trauels can weary them And what dangers can make them feare O Loue strong as death seeing that a Louer liuing in that which he loueth and being dead in himselfe hath no more feeling of torment then a body depriued of a soule With what teares were these two seperated at night by the cruell officers of this Prison If it bee cruelty to deale rigorously with mad folkes with what care and languishment did they attend the day that they might see one the other what discreet follies did they vtter in publicke full of equiuocations to deceiue those who heard them and to diuert the euils which they suffered And with what amorous discourses did they in particuler warme their desires to marry How much doth he commend Nisa's vertue and the chast but louing defence which shee made of her honour for Pamphilus being a man had yeelded often vnto his passion if shee had not moderated his violence With what grace they gaue madly fauours one vnto another of the vildest thinges they could finde vpon the ground which Pamphilus stucke in his hat in steed of Iewels or feathers which he was wont to weare But fortune enuying their contentednes euen in this misery would not let them liue in this place at rest but arming himselfe a new against them euen at that time when as they thought by Iacinthes helpe to get out of that Prison There came vnto this Citty an Italian Earle of the house of Anquilora called Emelio who desiring to haue a Foole with him promised a great Almes vnto their house if they would giue him a mad-man who hauing lost his fury might entertaine him with sport Those
night had hardly all hid her blacke head crowned both with sleepe and feare when the deceiued Thesander waked out of the most sorrowfull Dreame that could possesse his fantasie representing to his imagination the absence of fugitiue Nisa together with her deceitfull wordes her sweet disdaines and her faire â—ace a thing which sometime hapneth principally vnto him which loueth or feareth In asmuch as those thinges which threaten vs doe represent vnto vs in sleeping the same cares which wee haue in the day awake Thesander rising in this imagination began to search Nisa guided by the light of his soule and not finding her it little wanted that hee did not dye with griefe for her departure neither his Father nor the rest of his Parents had power enough to keepe him from ruÌ„ning after And so he came to Toledo long time before Nisa For a Louer whofoloweth that which he loueth doth go faster then he who flyeth froÌ„ that which he doth not loue because hee which doth not loue groweth sorrowfull in going and hee which loueth by going puts off his griefe In the meane time Lisard much pleased with Pamphilus his vnderstanding and person had taken him to wayte in his Chamber not suffering him to liue in the basenes of his first office which he had giuen him and in this quality hee liued at Toledo with his Master alwayes taking great care that his masters Parents might not see him because that if they had viewed him with any consideration they must needs haue knowne him But Lisard who with frequent conuersation with Finia whome his Parents did vse as louingly as they could haue done Nisa was fallen in Loue with her discouered one time vnto Pamphilus and making him the minister of his passion gaue him charge to speake vnto her and to dispose her with all his power to be fauourable vnto his desires Pamphilus obeying his Master and taking occasion one Festiuall day when euery body was abroad hee went to finde Finia from Lisard But when in comming vnto her hee knewe her to bee his Sister and shee knewe him to be her Brother they both remayned astonished dumbe and as immouable as stones But shortly after this first confusion Pamphilus began to speake in this manner Sister tell me by what meanes thou camest hither since Celio abandoning thee left thee in Barcelon for I knowe already the whole progresse of thy misfortune as conformable vnto mine as wee are equall in Birth By his meanes whome the Destinies pleased vnto whose disposing my will cannot resist Lisard brother of my Husband Celio hauing found mee vpon the way from Saragossa brought me hither where I thinke I may abide his returne with more honour The same man said Pamphilus sendeth me vnto thee to speake vnto thee about his Loue and hee hauing found me in a Grange which he hath in the Mountaines of Toledo where I had sheltered my selfe from the stroakes of Fortune vnder the basest condition of the world hath brought me now into this place where thou now seest me in the quality of a Groome and because that heretofore in the beginning of my Fortunes I haue beene in this house I kept my selfe from being seene vntill this time as thou mayest well know hauing not beene seene vntill this day by thee Suffer and abide the end of thy Fortune as I haue done and doe not say thou knowest me for I will entertaine Lisard with some Lye from thee vntill such time that wee may see whereunto the reuolution of this coniunction of our misfortunes will tend and when will end the effects of this our honours ecclipse Thus did Pamphilus and Finia meete and in stead of reprehending one the other they remayned there both good friends for it is ordinary with those who are culpable to dissemble the faults of others least they be reprehended for their own In this meane time Thesander went from place to place in Toledo inquiring for Nisa and when these newes came vnto Lisards eares that there was a young man which enquired for his Sister Hee verily thought that it was Pamphilus who by some sinister accident hauing lost her was come thither to finde her And telling vnto Pamphilus the story of Nisa's rauishing which hee knewe much better told him that hee was now in Toledo in her quest and that hauing no man in whose hands hee could better commit the satisfaction of his reuenge then his nor of whose courage and fidelity hee could be better assured of he intreats him and coniures him to kill him A notable winding in a successe so strange and so imbroiled which is so much the more admirable vnto me who knowe it better then they who reads it how true it is Pamphilus astonished to see that hee was ingaged to kill Pamphilus at the least a man who either in searching for Nisa or else one who for the onely disaster of his name deserued to dye endeauoreth to finde him rather to know what he would with Nisa then with any mind to execute Lisards intent vpon the others innocency His master did not accompany him in this action for as Tacitus saith of Nero although hee commaunded Murthers yet he alwayes turned his sight away from them Pamphilus hauing found Thesander priuately would informe himselfe of the cause why he inquired for Nisa Thesander recounted the story from Nisa's being wounded by Celio and healed by his Father shee had left them one night without bidding them adue paying with ingratitude all the good offices which were done her in that house Neither did he forget to relate how shee for the dressing of her wound being constrained to open her brests shee was discouered to bee a Woman from whence proceeded his desire and the cause why hee sought her in this place which shee said was the place of her Birth Ioyfull was Pamphilus to heare of the healing of Nisa's wounds and in stead of killing Thesander hee led him into his Chamber where hauing vsed him with all the curtesie that was possible he tolde him that in this house where hee remayned were Nisa's Parents and Brother Lisard hauing a great opinion of Pamphilus his courage whome he called Maurice did verily beleeue that hee would infallibly kill Nisa's rauisher which hee beleeued to bee Thesander wherefore he demaunded leaue of his Father to goe fearing that if Maurice should happely bee taken Prisoner he might confesse the author of Pamphilus his death The Father afflicted at his departure fearing that in this his age Death might take him in the absence of all his Children would know the cause of his Iourney And Lisard telling him that hee had sent to kill him who had run away with his Sister who was come vnto Toledo and that hee did beleeue that his seruant vnto whome he had giuen this commission had already executed it put the olde man into a greater care then hee was in before much fearing the Damage which might come from so violent a reuenge Pamphilus had perswaded
they ought vnto the intercessors and his merites if they had not found that Florinda had lost when they gaue knowledge of the husband which they propounded vnto her They loued her tenderly and would not constraine her with rigor but treating freely with Filander they tolde him that shee would not agree vnto it although they had perswaded her as masters and commaunded as Parents Filander augmenting his loue by the disdaine informed himselfe of the cause and found that the loue which Florinda bare vnto Dorricles was cause of the disdaine which she bare to him presently did accuse in his imagination reuenge and a resolution to remoue out of the world the obstacle of his designe no whit respecting the scandals and the euill successe which so hardy an enterprise might bring hee armed himselfe with such company as hee thought good as he who was not vnprouided of friends nor wanted seruants at such times as he thought hee should finde Dorricles at his Mistresses doore or in the streete by her house who doubting of his riual◠designe alwayes went well accompanied and better armed as hee who did not thinke that hee could haue a better friend then his Sword And hauing caused a Ladder to bee brought vpon the eue of a Feast vnto her Garden wall by that meanes to speake with her it hapned that Filander comming into that street and doing his accustomable Office of a spy heard that Florinda spake vnto Dorricles and gaue him a Nosegay of Ieasuine which shee had in her hand with imbracings more insupportable to him then fauourable vnto Dorricles Hee charged those which kept the gate began with them a cruell combate Dorricles comes downe and searching Filander in the middest of his enemies woundeth him and puts him to flight for a Louer fauoured is as a gamster who wins who in all hazards is alwayes master ouer the Fortune of his aduersary Dorricles goeth away victorious out of the street Filanders Loue which he turned into disdaine became by this incounter a mortall hatred Then of either side they increased their bands the fire of their anger kindled all their Parents and although they euery day spake together as if they had no quarrell they failed not to sight euery night when they met In this scandall Dorricles lost the enioying of his Mistres Filander her fauour she her renowne and their Parents their honour time increased the Loue of the one and the others hatred increased his desire of reuenge and of the small pleasure which the two Louers had Filander had lest vnto whom it seemed better in this busines to relye vpon his industry for the effecting whereof his force would be wanting Hauing then learned that Florinda was to take her pleasure at Sea in a Barke hee hid two or three dayes before a Brigantine in a creeke not farre from the shore in which he apparelled himselfe like a Turke with some other of his friends for complices in amorous enterprises are seldome wanting and with necessary Rowers attendeth his Mistres the Meuxin which is the Tower where the watch of Barcelon is kept hauing discouered no enemies sayle in all the Sea In the meane time the contented Florinda with her companions was not gone from the shore a League when as the counterfeit Frigot hoysing sayles and beating the water with her owers inuesteth her Barke the Marriners whereof looking for nothing lesse then such a surprise could not resolue either to flye or to defend themselues But contrariwise as the fearefull bird seeing the proude Merlin come fiercely stooping vpon her is accustomed to attend her with couched wings acknowledging by the Turky sayles the power of their enemies which were vpon them quitted their owers and feare which with a colde shiuering ranne through all their veynes gaue them no time to discerne their subtilty finally they boorded them and two or three of the disguised Turks leaping into the Barke rauished away the new Hellen who carryed into the Brigantine sawe herselfe in the armes of Filander The counterfeit wordes of these Pirats who called him Amurat Raix made those who remained free in the Barke belieue that he was the author of this robbery And seeing that they tooke nothing but Florinda they returned againe to Barcelon recounting the disgrace in euery street and place where they came with more cryes and teares then wordes which cōming to the eares of her Parents caused more griefe in them then can be tolde principally in the sorrowfull Mother who bewayled her losse with a passion more befitting her sexe then a generous courage The Gennets in vaine spurred vp and downe vpon the Coast But Filander who had brought Florinda into a priuate Garden house hauing taken away his Turban and his Turkish disguise declared vnto her that the incomparable force of his loue had constrained him to haue recourse vnto this subtilty did enioy her beauty with assurance although shee tooke Heauen the Trees and the Fountaines to witnes the violence which was vsed to her Of no lesse consideration was Dorricles his paine who full of mortall sorrow was a thousand times vpon the Sea side ready to imitate the dispaire of those Nimphes which sawe Europa rauished neuertheles as well to obliege vnto him his Mistresses parents as to satisfie himselfe hee bought a Ship of an Arrogonis which had brought in Wheate and lading it with Silkes Veluets and other Marchandize gaue his sayles vnto the winde turning his prowe toward Argiere Sali Morat Fuchel Mami Xafer and other Pirats had at the same time arriued at Thunnis Bisert and Tripoly and seperated their Gallies into the neighbour Ports Doricles enquireth amongst them of his Mistres and of as many others as hee knew did rob vpon the Coast of Spaine But when he met with none who could tell him newes of her whom his riuall inioyed with such pleasure hee went to Constantinople and from thence vnto Cayre and hauing runne along the Coast of the Kingdomes of Fez Morocco Tarndan and Tafilet dispairing of euer finding her whom hee had so long time and so vainely sought changed his Marchandize into Christian Slaues and returning into Spaine disimbarked at Ceute while the deceiued Doricles did thus run along the Coast of Africke a seruant of Filanders were it either out of some displeasure which hee had taken or out of enuy vnto his happines discouered all the proceeding vnto the Iustice of Barcelon who in a night following inuironeth the garden house with maine force and taketh Filander then when hee least looked for it The newes and admiration which his subtilty and surprise caused in the Citty moued the Cittizens confusedly to see him passe through the streets through the middest of whom hee was had to Prison and the sorrowfull Mayd already made a woman against her will was rendered vnto her Parents the sentence was mortall the opinion common the approbation generall and the processe short The scaffold was ready Filander disposeth himselfe to dye and made it appeare
execute my intent I went to Madreele I sought Pamphilus in all the houses of his friends and visited his Mother asking newes of him making shew how things had passed The innocent Mother said it was two yeares since hee went into Flaunders and that from the time of his departure she neuer had heard from him from whence she collected he was dead I thought that she knowing what he had done had disguised the truth and while I was in this meditation I casting my eyes vpon a young Gentlewoman who sate sowing by this reuerend matron I found her in my minde so faire that her onely looke had power to temper my sorrow and hardly had I fully viewed her perfections when as I propounded in my selfe to serue her and to steale her away thinking by this meanes to giue satisfaction to our honour and beginning to my reuenge To recount vnto you at this time all the passages and the care which I vsed to speake with her and to bring her to my will would be to trouble you with a long discourse Let it satisfie that I drewe her from her house with the same thred where with Pamphilus had pulled Nisa from ours and in a strange and foolish minde led her into France where her beauty ministred subiect vnto a Knight to serue her and for me to kill him From whence it followed that for safety of my life I was driuen to leaue her Neuerthelesse I am resolued whatsoeuer happen vnto me to goe seeke her because that besides I doe loue her more then my selfe I owe so much vnto her merit and vertue with which shee hath faithfully accompanied me thorough many and variable successes Night had spred his blacke vayle ouer the face of the Earth and the houses were full of Candles as the Heauen of starres men and creatures retired themselues from their common labour when as the miserable Pamphilus gaue ouer hearing the tragedy of his Loue with the last act of his honour and to know that he did then but begin to suffer his euils when he thought he was at an end of them Hee admired the iustice of Heauen which had suffred that his Sister should so lightly haue quited her Mothers house to runne away with a man Yet finding in himselfe the example of his owne misleading of Nisa and that the iniury which hee had done vnto Celio was no lesse then that which hee had receiued he did not hold it iust in himselfe once to thinke of reuenge but rather to perswade him that hee should not nor ought to leaue her which he performed with the best wordes the liueliest reasons he could deuise Remonstrating vnto him that amongst Gentlemen the onely condition of noblenes should binde him to goe seeke for her which Celio allowing for most reasonable gaue him his word to imploy his endeauours to that purpose And being lodged this night together they supped and slept in one house The next morning Pamphilus gaue him a Letter to a French Gentleman with whom he had great acquaintance that he might fauour him in finding out Finia for so was his Sister called But Celio departed not for certain dayes during which time there was a perfect friendship knit betweene those two secret enemies So that Pamphilus knowing the offence which Celio had done vnto him pardoned him in his hart and Celio ignorant that this was Pamphilus was disposed to the pardoning of him The resolution was with great oathes to enquire out one the other and to helpe each other in all accidents as Brothers assigning the rende-vous within sixe monthes in the Citty of Pamphelune So went Celio vpon his enterprise some few dayes after his departure Pamphilus his sorrow increasing out of the opinion that it was impossible for him to recouer Nisa It happened that going one night from his lodging in a vaine desire he had to see the windowes of the Prison where his happines and ioy was inclosed he heard a Knight cry out for helpe against some who would at aduantage haue killed him He sodainly stepped vnto him and drawing out his Sword out of his Palmers staffe with an incredible dexterity accompanied with a valiant braue courage made them loose him whom they would haue killed and saue their own liues by a shamefull though a safe flight The Knight would needs know what hee was who had deliuered him from so great danger and although Pamphilus excused himselfe from telling his name yet the Knights desire and curtesie preuayled more then the humblenes wherewith the Pilgrim did endeauour to perswade him that hee had done him no seruice to conclude he led him to his house where his good and gentle behauiour being obserued the Knight and his Parents bare such affection vnto him that they did oblige him to become their guest There remained Pamphilus some dayes at the end of which Iacinth so was this Knight called tolde him the history of his Loue vnto faire Lucinde and the occasion for which these assassiuators wold haue murther'd him who for this onely cause were come from Ciuill vnto Valence where the subiect of the passion and the sorrow wherein he liued did remaine I doe beleeue that Louers haue some simpathy one with another and that they ioyne and communicate in such manner as you haue seene in this discourse Seeing that our Pilgrim neuer came into any house where there was not some one or other tainted with this euill although it were in craggy Mountaines By this ouerture of Iacinthes secret Pamphilus was bound to discouer his and after hee had made him sweare that he would graunt him his request hee said that in recompence of his life which hee had saued as he himselfe confessed he coniured him to helpe him to a place in that Prison where the mad solkes were shut vp Iacinth astonished at so strange a request would needs know the cause But Pamphilus promising to tell him so soone as he had done him that fauour and casting himselfe at his feete with most earnest and vnheard-of wordes affirming the good hee should doe him to put him in this place made Iacinth suspect that some secret danger did inforce him into that place And willing very generously to satisfie the obligation wherein hee was tyed after some inconueniences and reasons vrged to diuert him hauing agreed with him of the meanes which he should holde This very night Iacinth tooke fiue or sixe men of the Hospitall who entring sodainly into Pamphilus his Chamber put him in a Chayre and carryed him away in their armes miserable condition of this man who after so many strange successes being wise if those who Loue can be so to make himselfe to bee taken and shut vp willingly as a mad-man where all the mad folkes would willingly bee accounted wise All Iacinthes house admire at this nouelty and all his family complaine that this stranger vnto whom Iacinth was redeuable for his life was so vnworthily requited by Iacinth himselfe But shee
speech she intreated him that he would inquire secretly with whom a slaue of the Kingdome of Toledo liued and whose name was Pamphilus This man informed himselfe the same day and following her when shee was alone he tolde her that Saly Morato had taken him in a Battaile which was fought in Cent and had him still in his power with other Slaues who serued the Masons about the house which he was building Nisa glad of these newes in the euening got on Horsebacke Cloathed in a Scarlet Casque layd about with golde Lace hauing a Hat vpon her head imbroadered with Pearle and a great Feather and a rich Sword of Tunis hanging in a Scarfe by her side In this manner she went into the street where Saly Morat dwelt and sawe in a newe house which was there a building her miserable but beloued Pamphilus not yet fully healed of his wounds hauing a poore dublet of course Canuas breeches of the same without shooes vpon his feet carying with another Christian the materials wherewith that house was to be built she stayed not as she had thought because that seeing him in this estate the teares which she shed would haue discouered her but feyning to turne her horse in the street the beams of her face properly resembling them of the Sun hauâ—ng scattred the cloudes of this water she stayed looking vpon these slaues and said vnto Pamphilus in the Language of Fesse why doth Morato build this fayre house hauing another in this streete so fayre Pamphilus answered according to his knowledge that they were for the keeping of slaues because that since his good successe in the former war he was growne proud and did presage that hee should haue many Thou art then his slaue said shee in the Castillian tongue Pamphilus answered that by his misfortune he was brought to that estate and earnestly beholding her face let fall to the ground that which hee held in his hand Wondering to see a Moore which should so perfectly resemble his beloued Nisa for that this should be shee he could not perswade himselfe by reason of her Language her habite and the small time since that he left her in Cent so hee remained without speaking indeuouring to couer his astonishment and confusion by his silence When as shee speaking vnto him in the Arabian tongue asked of him if hee were a Knight Pamphilus more assured that it was Nisa by the resemblance of her face distrusting it was not she by her language hearing her speak the language of Fesse so naturally answered her I told Saly Morato that I was a poore man but because you resemble so much a Master which heretofore I had vnto whom I neuer lied in my life I will not deceiue you I am a Castillian Knight and of the Kingdome of Toledo of a place whereof it is not possible but you should haue heard because that the names of Princes Courts are notorious to all Nations as Paris in France Rome in Italy Constantinople in Greece and Madreele in Spaine there was I borne subiect vnto this misfortune wherein you see me But gentle Moore I pray tell me who you are why you aske of me my Country and my quallitie I am said Nisa Nephew vnto the gouernor Alijaffer son vnto Muley Nuzan his brother by a Christian slaue who was borne in Toledo my name is Hazan Rubin although that heretofore I called my selfe by my mothers name Ceuill Mendossa my vncles son being dead hee sent for me to Moroco the place of my birth from whence he brought me hether and to comfort himselfe called me by the name of his sonne promising me to marry me vnto Lela Axa his Daughter who is the fayrest in all Affrique and this is the reason which inciteth me to loue Christians who are well borne because my mother was one especially Spanyards and of her owne Country and it greeues me extreamely that thou art belonging to this gouernor who is reputed to vse his slaues hardly as it may be seen by experieÌ„ce in thy selfe who being such that thy nobilitie doth manifestly appeere notwithstanding the misery and pouerty of thy clothes yet doth put thee to such vile labor Wherfore as well because thou pleasest me well as for the reasons which I haue tolde thee I will bring it to passe if thou thinke good of it that Alijaffer shall buy thee and in his house there shal be nothing wanting vnto thee but thy liberty as for all other things I will vse thee as my self Pamphilus at these words cast himselfe at her feet by force did many times kisse them thanking her for the fauour which shee did him So being departed Nisa told Alijaffer the desire which shee had vnto a Spaenish slaue who was euill entreated of Saly Morato the Moor who desired to oblige him absolutely and to satisfie his pleasure in all things went the next morning to Salye Morato to treate with him about the sale of this slaue which being not refused vnto him they talked of the price Salye demaunded a thousand Duckets because sayeth he he had beene taken in good equipage both for Armes and Horse and a red Scarfe vpon his left arme a thing which he sayed in the time of his being in Spayne he had seene in Kings Portratures Nisa who was most interessed at the bargaine sayed vnto him that in Spayne cloathes were common and the pride of Soldiers equall vnto the Maiestie of their Princes In the end they agreed vpon fiue hundred Duckets and Nisa going vnto the chamber where Pamphilus laye tooke him along with her hee filled with teares and imaginations attributing this kindnes to the resemblance which was between the Moore and Nisa and oftentimes he resolued to beleeue that it was she For although the habit and tongue disguised her yet the voyce countenance discouered her She lodged him in a place differing and better then that of the slaues she caused him incontinently to bee cloathed and going to see him the first night shee brought him one of her Smocks intreating him to weare it vnder his Pamphilus cast himselfe at her feete and Nisa turning herselfe away hee humbly kissed the ground which shee had trodden vpon But they had not long talked together when as Pamphilus grewe so certaine that if she was not Nisa he was mad that thereby he could not sleepe he could not eate nor doe any other thing but shew her his thoughts in the violence of sighes Nisa fearing that in this perplexity he might loose his wits to assure him and thereby to know the secret of his heart vttered these wordes one day vnto him Pamphilus the Loue which I beare thee constrained me to procure thy good and to solicite thy rest I tolde Alijaffer that I stood much affected vnto thee and he answered me that if I would hee would send thee into thy Country that thou shouldst goe vpon thy worde and that from thence thou shouldst vpon thy
honour send him that which thou owest him But I who loose my life in loosing thee haue intreated him to giue thee my Sister Fatima to wife that thereby I doubted not but I should perswade thee to alter thy Religion and become a Moore If thou canst bee contented to doe this for me I shall knowe thy gentlenes and thou shalt inioy the beautifullest Gentlewoman in all Morocco shalt be one of the richest men of all Africke because that besides what my Father left her my Vnckle will giue her a great part of his estate also and I will giue thee mine and my wife and I will soiourne vnder thy gouernment Pamphilus whose intent was to make her discouer herselfe vnto him or else to nettle Nisa so farre as that she should declare herselfe coldely answered that to obay her and to requite the duty which hee ought her he would willingly become a Moore aswell for that reason as also that hee had seene Fatima sometimes in the Bathes of whome he was growne so amorous that the little pleasure and lesse health which he had proceded from thence Hardly had Nisa heard Pamphilus his resolution when in an extreame fury shee said vnto him Ah perfidious Traytor and barbarous enemy without God without faith without loue without loyalty Is this that which thou owest vnto Heauen to thy Parents to thy Country and to the vnfortunate and miserable Nisa who to deliuer thee hath put herselfe into such great dangers I knewe well my most beloued Nisa answered Pamphilus imbracing her that this subtilty was necessary for to make thee discouer thine for thou gouernest thy selfe in such manner that before thou wouldst haue otherwayes plainely declared thy selfe vnto me I should haue lost my wits if not my life Let goe my Arme ingratefull wretch sayd Nisa vse no more these subtleties hauing discouered so much perfideous weaknes but wretch that I am why doe I complaine seeing that he who forsaketh God doth not iniure me in forsaking me But in the end after many sorrowfull complaints his satisfactions had such vertue that her anger being ouercome by her loue they remained friends with more pleasure and firmnes then euer as it alwayes happens vnto true Louers This day passed away followed with many others during which time they entred into deliberations of the meanes whereby they might recouer their libertie which seemed to them impossible in respect of the loue which Alijaffer bare vnto Nisa as also in respect of the loue which Fatima bare vnto Pamphilus for she hauing heard that he would be a Moor that his Vncle would marry her vnto him fauoured him to Nisas great griefe who vpon this iealousie was for the space of three moneths without any louing correspondency with him Behold an vnheardoff story wherein is to be seene what a woman who loueth can effect seeing she deceaued the distrust of an old Moore and brought all his house to that poynt that all things were gouerned by the onely will of Pamphilus who taking better councell whilest Alijaffer was gone vnto Tarndan where the King lay at that time wrought so hansomely with Axa and Fatima that they would goe into Spaine with him vpon the remonstrance which he made vnto them that his loue was certaine and assured and theirs deceitfull false and not to be beleeued they were not hard to be perswaded because they were women Moores and Louers three thinges of weake resistance So one faire night hauing packed vp all the best Iewels they could finde they got all foure to Horse-backe and Pamphilus being clad in the like apparell vnto Nisa that thereby they might passe more surely they came vnto Cent where being ioyfully receiued by the Generall hee accommodated them with Shipping for Lisbon There he let Axa and Fatima vnderstand that it was necessary for them to goe to Rome that the chiefe and holy Bishop might receiue them into the Church and pardon them himselfe all which they did the sooner to get out of Spaine they being contented to follow them whether soeuer they would goe imbarqued themselues all together in a Ship of Aragon which had brought in Wheate and hauing a faire winde they arriued in Sicilie from whence because it was the yeare of Iubile they went all foure in the habite of Pilgrims to Rome There Axa and Fatima were Baptized Axa was called Clement of his Holines his name and Fatima was called Hipolita from her Godmother The Marriage was resting still to be performed according to promise But Pamphilus and Nisa entertained them alwayes with hope remonstrating vnto them that it was not fit nor iust that they should bee marryed before they came vnto their Fathers house So after they had seene great part of Italy and France and from thence they passed into Spaine where they thought that Nisa her Parents choller was by this time ouer for when thefts in Loue are not chasticed vpon the act in warme blood they are alwayes remitted with time But hauing ruâ—ne a dangerous Fortune in a miserable Tartane into which they had imbarked themselues at Villa Franca and hauing beene long beaten with a sore tempest they finished their shipwracke within the sight of the walls of Barcelon neither is knowne whether Nisa and the Moores are aliue or dead But Pamphilus swimming attained vnto a plancke of the Ship and within a day after being taken vp by some Moores of Byserta they carryed him to Censtantinople where I sawe him a Captiue and where hee tolde me what I haue related This Nisa added vnto the truth to hide herselfe from Finia knowing already by that which was related in the first Booke how shee and Pamphilus were both taken vp halfe Drowned one by the Fishers and the other by Captaine Doricles with their seuerall successes in their Perigrinations in Spaine vntill they met together amongst the Mad-men in the Hospitall of Valence Finia thanked her much for the newes which shee had tolde her of her Brother shewing some griefe for the Death of Nisa afterwards hauing concluded their returne into Spaine they retired themselues together to Marselles where they rested for some dayes Finia beleeuing alwayes that Nisa was this Felix whose name shee had borrowed In the meane time miserable Pamphilus suffered in Prison with more rigorous paine then he did before because that his fury increasing with his griefe hee was kept so much the more straightly by how much he was thought to bee the more mad In the eud Iacinth came vnto Valence and being aduertised by Pamphilus of his misfortune hee drewe him out of the Cage and had him to his house saying that his Parents had sent him Fiue hundred Crownes of Castreele to defray the charge of his Cure at his house All those who remained in the Hospitall were sorry because vntill that time there was neuer seene a Mad-man so wise nor a wise man which did imagine so many follyes There did Pamphilus take againe his ancient habite
went vnto him and wishing health vnto him which hee could not obtaine for himselfe and curteously againe saluted by the Shepheard who hauing nothing that sauoured of rusticknes but his Apparell made him knowe in a fewe reasons his vnderstanding and the other quickly discerned in the Pilgrim that he had more neede of meate then discourse Wherefore getting fire out of two Lawrell stickes which for that purpose hee carryed with him they poorely fed of that which Fabio for so was this Shepheard called had willingly dressed the ground seruing them for a Table the grasse for napkins and bubling Brookes for their drinke and musique They passed away the best part of the day in telling their aduentures and when it grewe night they retired themselues into a little Village whether Fabio led Pamphilus to keepe his masters Oxen who was a Farmer of a Grange which Nisa her Father had in the Mountaines Pamphilus was glad of this condition hoping that by this meanes he might with time haue newes of his Mistres by the way Pamphilus intreated Fabio to relate the cause of his retiring into this place who although that this request brought vnto his mind a great deale of griefe and passion yet after some sighes he shortly tolde him that hee was borne in Biscay and discended of most noble Parents who were carefull to fit him in his youth with quallities answerable vnto his Birth wherein he profited so well that he neither raysed discontentment in his Parents nor shame vnto his Tutors but after growing more ripe in yeares and incited with the couragious heate of youth In those times when the English with their warlike Ships rauaged alongst our Coasts aswell of Spaine as the Ilands and oftentimes with their desperate resolutions made themselues masters of our Indian Golde I put my selfe to Sea in one of the Kings Armadoes aswell with an intent to gaine honour by my valour as experience in those seruices thereby to bee the abler to serue my Countrey wherein I was so fortunate because I will not say too much that I got commaund my selfe and by taking and executing two or three of those Pirats was in a faire way both of grace with the King and renowne in the world when my eyes were the instruments whereby the most excellent and admirable beauty of Albiana captiuated my heart so powerfully that all other courses set apart I was inforced to giue my selfe wholly to her seruice wherein after some small time I had so happy a progression that shee did confesse she was obliged by my perseuerance and by the opinion which the world held of me to esteeme of mee and of my seruice thus happily in her fauour I spent some time vntill it fortuned some English slaues which I had endeauouring to make an escape but by my Soldiers and Marryners preuented I inflicted a cruell punishment vpon them bound thereunto by that common pollicy which exacteth from Masters a seueere hand ouer their mutinous Slaues especially I vsed it towards one who more eminent then the rest aswell in regard of his person as that hee was a cheefe author of their attempt which Albiana with most earnest prayers vnto me sought to diuert were it out of a pittifull compassion ordinary in most women or that she tooke any speciall liking vnto him But I hauing more care at that time to execute my rage then mindefull of her importunity which I did not thinke would haue turned to that consequence for example sake which as it is powerfull so is it most necessary especially amongst men of our profession who serue our selues with multitudes of them perseuered in hauing him soundly punished Whereat shee discontented though with little shew thereof vnder-hand wrought such meanes by her friends in Court before I imagined any such thing that the Slaue was by messenger from the Duke of Lerma and by warrant vnder the Kings hand fetched from me and the next day shee did let me knowe that any denyall to a Woman effects her hatred For shee sent me a Letter wherein she said I was a cruell Monster and that she was so farre from Louing and esteeming me that she would euer hate my barbarous Nature and she wondred that any valour could bee lodged where cruelty had such a habitation to conclude shee tolde me that I should neuer come in her sight nor be where she might heare of my name How grieuous this was vnto me gentle Sir may easily be gessed if you knewe the extremity of my Loue which was so much that I presently without the knowledge of any of my friends tooke such order as I could with my command and retired my selfe into these Desert places where I am resolued vnder this disguised habite to end my dayes seeing that Albiana will haue it so who whether her complaints were iust or no or whether they but serue to colour her vnconstancy shall bee alwayes loued and truely obayed by me vnto whome onely this comfort is left That though Life hath left me Death will take me Before Fabio had finished this short discourse they had discouered the Village where Alfesibus did keepe Nisa's fathers Cattell in the best house of the Village which for a Countrey house was a faire one Alfesibus receiued Pamphilus and informed by Fabio of his intent he agreed with him for wages and after an euill supper and a worse Lodging hee passed the night miserably And when morning appeared Pamphilus went after his Oxen vnto the solitary Fields where hee liued some time free from the confused noyses of the Citties a good leasure to meditate vpon his aduentures In the meane time Nisa healed of her woundes knew that she had receiued them from her owne Brother out of Iealousie which hee had conceiued against her for Finia And intreating his good Host that hee would haue pitty vpon her blood by both their meanes his pardon and liberty was obtained the one soliciting and the other forbearing the prosecution One of the woundes which Nisa had receiued was in her left side and as in the Dressing it could not be auoyded but that shee was knowne to bee a Woman although she had coniured her Host to keepe it secret from his Family yet it was impossible Because that his Sonne Thesander vnhappily one day was at her dressing and transported so into his minde the woundes which shee had in her body that within a fewe dayes hee fell sicke by force of this continuall thought not being able to receiue into his imagination any thought but the desire of this beauty For all the heauen of Loue moueth vpon these two poles Imagination and Desire And then his body is as full of imaginary and fantasticke figures as the Astrologians Globe Thesander did all that he could to diuert himselfe from this thought and as euils are healed by their contraries hee proposed vnto his eyes other obiects and other cares vnto his imaginations But as Art is made out of many experiences which were wanting
vnto Thesander hee rather found the euill then the remedy For it is impossible that young men should knowe much because that to bee wise requires experience and that is gotten with time Nisa was much grieued at Thesanders passion although hee had neuer spoken vnto her about it But as hee which is Amorous so often speaketh as he looketh vpon that which he loueth she easily read in his lookes the depth of his thoughts and willing to disabuse him so that not being vnderstood by others shee might let him vnderstand the vanity of his Loue one night after shee was healed being intreated by all the company she sung these Verses following I wot not what is Loue nor yet his flame Nay more to knowe it I haue not the mnde In others t' will suffice a man may finde The woes this Tyrant in their soules doth frame That I for him doe sigh hee cannot say Hee mastreth not my will that bideth free His bad and my good Nature disagree And free me from his Empires Lawes for aye To cast his Darts else where I him require My heart as Rockes of brasse doth scorne his might Let him not grieue I from him take my flight Because I am all yee and hee all fire But they rather increased the fire which was too much kindled in Thesanders soule who taking the Lute from Nisa answered her with these Verses which hee had conceiued in his minde the night before The great Gods supreame puisant to deny Vnto my soule as rashnes I doe holde This to deny with truth I may bee bolde Mine euill nor yet my selfe I can desory My knowledge Loue hath rauisht whome you blame I thinke hee hath no might nor yet discretion If I bee thus tormented for Confession You that deny his power feele not the same He makes the widest breach in strongest Brasse From coldest yce he greatest fire can drawe Not one can ftye him for none euer sawe Ought else his shafts in swiftnes to surpasse Very aptly might Nisa at that time haue reuenged the motions which Pamphilus had to agree vnto Flerida's will It Loue had beene a Spirit as some haue beleeued which might haue toled them vnto her But it was not iust that so rare a Faith should be spotted with any infamy Thesanders Loue in the meane time springing from this first sparkle increased by Nisa's resistance like a Fire which a little Water maketh more violent or like Palme Trees growing most when a waight is layde vpon them Nisa waxed strong and walked abroad when desperate Thesander discouered himselfe vnto a Physician who incouraged him either to manifest his euill or else as the best remedy against his Loue to worke from his imagination this deepe melancholy and to diuert it by some honest exercise and that the courage of the practiser is the first matter vpon which the Heauens doe imprint the forme of their succors for as much as their fauour is not obtained by womanish prayers and vowes but by the vigorius actions of men agreeing vnto which the Greeke adage sayeth that the Gods doe sell their blessings vnto men in exchange of their labors Thesander was animated by these councells but finding that diuisions were weake remedyes against the splendor of Nisas beautie he fell into a relapse and grew so weake that he was constrained to discouer the cause of his sicknes The pittifull Father who was already informed of Nisa's quality coniured her with teares to be Mistres of his wealth and marry his Son of whose sicknes there was no other remedy Nisa admiring at the seuerall wayes whereby Fortune sought to seperate her from Pamphilus discouered then vnto the good olde man the whole history of her life and layde before him all the impossibilities which did excuse her from satisfiing so many curtesies the chiefest whereof was in his willingnes to admit her to the highest degree of Honor and affection that was possible for him to doe shee being a stranger and in such an vndecent habit for a woman fit to be his Sonnes wife By this meanes she satisfied the Father But the poore Thesander was so desperate that falling into greater extremity hee was at the last point of his life like vnto Trees whose boughes doe not loose their greenenes vntill that their humour which doth quicken them doe absolutely fayle because that hope is the radicall moysture which doth keepe vs aliue and is vnto vs as Oyle vnto our fire Nisa seeing that Thesander was for her sake vpon the point of losing his life and shee herselfe had not now liued but out of his Fathers pitty was exceedingly perplexed that shee could not satisfie so iust an obligation and not being able to rest in these confused thoughts the representations of Pamphilus labours did alwayes appeare in her minde who she thought to be Prisoner still at Valence Thesanders euill increased Nisa deferred the remedy the Father accused this poore amorous man in my opinion innocent because that in thinges naturall we doe neither merit nor Demerit In briefe all the whole family intreated Nisa that she would haue pitty of Thesanders young yeares and that at the least she would asswage his passion with one amorous word Amongst all the variable Fortunes aswell by Land as Sea which our Pilgrim had suffered there was none so difficult vnto her as this Neuertheles shee resolued to entertaine Thesander vntill hee had recouered some strength that thereby he might the better bee able to beare the subtilty which shee intended And in this she did not deceiue herselfe for our spirits haue some resemblance with the nature of young Horses which are easilyer managed with gentle Bits then with hard The sweet wordes the fained hopes and imbracings of Nisa within few dayes restored Thesanders weakened spirit during which time Celio was deliuered out of Prison with an exceeding desire to see her aswell because hee had heard newes of her health as because he imagined that if Finia were not in her company yet at the least he might heare some newes of her Neuertheles the sorrowfull Nisa beleeuing that Celio desired to kill her not knowing what Pamphilus had told him of her disguising in the habit of a Pilgrim so soone as she heard of his inlargement fled secretly from Barcelon In the meane time Lisard the Eldest brother vnto Celio and Nisa who as you heard was a Soldier in Flanders Disimbarquing in the same Towne of Barcelon farre from thinking that persons so neare him were there hauing met with Finia vpon the way on the first day of her trauell althogh almost in the last of the tragecall Comedy of her fortunes sorry to see so faire a Pilgrim goe a foote vnderstanding which way she was bound offered to accompany her into Casteele Finia willing to be gone from Celio whom she thought neuer to bee able to appease and not knowing that this was his Brother accpteth his offer and goeth with him to Toledo Where being receiued of his Parents