your rest whether if you have a Rival you ought to fear the power of his birth and his virtue and ending these words I went forth out of his Chamber without expecting his answer and retyr'd into my ovvn vvhere I pass'd the night vvith more quiet then Scipio The next morning assoon as it was day he came into my Chamber and being seated upon my Bed-side would not at first speak concerning Aemilia but began to set upon me for my sloathfulness I apprehended the matter so pleasantly that indeed it inspired me with cheerfulness so that looking towards him you believe without doubt said I 't is very late because perhaps 't is a long time you wak'd But do not deceive your self and think not 't is the Sun which causes you to rise so early that makes it day to us Alas I beseech you answered he let us discourse seriously I do so replyed I affecting to seem serious and for confirmation of what I say I will prove that in good Morality you are injurious in waking me and that a friend ought not like a Mistress disturbe the rest of a person that loves him You are so little serious this morning Laelius said he that I know not well what to say to to you And you so much answered I that I know not well what course to take to make you lay aside your serious humour Provided replyed he you do not require me to discard that which you think makes me serious I find my self incliâ—nable to satisfie you and to regulate my sentiments as you desire But Laelius require nothing further and not imagine as people ordinarily do that you ought to oppose a passion that is growing in the breast of a friend and that to encourage it would be like giving weapons to one that is frantick For in brief Laelius I declare to you that Aemilia the adorable Aemilia shall alwayes raign absolutely in my heart and that I will wear during my life the bonds of hers which I find upon me for they seem to me so lovely so charming and precious that I esteem them above all the Crowns in the world Ah! dear friend added he I little understand and you are still ignorant wherein consists a true and lively pleasure since you have not yet resented those motions of tenderness which a fair person excites in our hearts when she subdues them to her dominion since you have not resented that lively joy nor those sweet fears which acompanie the love and respect of a passionte heart and in brief since you know not that that which is called inquietude melancholly and musing in a Lover has a thousand charmes above those which men at libertie stile solid pleasures This subject Madam seem'd so pleasing and copious to Scipio that he would further have pursu'd his discourse had not one comâ— to give us notice that Minutius desired to see us As soon as he was come into our Chamber and the civilities were pass'd on all sides he at first beheld us as if he intended to read our resolutions in our countenances and presently after what may I expect you will do Scipio and Laelius said he in this affair We will do all answered Scipio that virtue requires us to do that is neither Laelius nor Scipio will engage in a partie against one of the most illustrious Houses of Rome and you must either perswade Varro to make use of his for the benefit of the Common-wealth or unloose your self from his interests to joyn with persons of none but honourable intententions For Minutius continued he you were a Roman before you were Varro's friend and so you are oblig'd to prefer the interests of Rome before those of your friend and even to oppose any whaâ—soever that goes about to disturb the publique Peace and commit violences in the City What you say is so rational answered Minutius that it would be injustice not to follow your sentiments and therefore I engage my word to you that Varro shall serve himself of other means to attain the happiness he aspires too These last words caus'd Scipio to blush which yet was not observ'd by Minutius for at the same time he was bethinking handsomely to change the matter of the conversation and to speak no more of a business which was not very advantageous to his friend And consequently he fell to speak of many persons of quality whose humours he describ'd to us he also inform'd us of the interests of gallantry which he had observ'd in severall parts of the City and all this with so much wit and freedom of mind that we believ'd he was no longer in suspence and unsatisfi'd After which Minutius left us to go to Publius and I prepar'd my self to go to my father though Scipio very urgently oppos'd it and would not permit me till I had promised to attend for him there to go and pass the afternoon with Aemilia to whose house accordingly we went where the conversation was indeed very agreeable 'T is true Scipio spoke lesser then he was accustom'd for he fix'd his eyes so constanly in beholding Aemilia and his countenance represented so many tokens of an inward joy which he resented that though I had not known the secret of his heart yet I should have possibly suspected something extraordinary by his aspect Besides he appear'd so satisfi'd that I have since wonder'd it was not then observ'd he was amorous for I believe nothing but the presence of the person beloved could cause so lively a joy Not but that his attention and his joy was often intterrupted by a hundred things spoken to his advantage and of which he was desirous to break off the continuance which was a displeasure that befell him at severall times for though Aemilia and the persons that were with her understood the world perfectly and were not ignorant that 't is something troublesome in a companie when great praises are given to a person that is present yet they thought themselves powerfully constain'd to extol Scipio both for that his brave actions were extreamly celebrated every where and because they had bin very advantageous to most part of the persons of qualitie in Rome Indeed Scipio was not so much perplex'd as he would have bin if Aemilia Fabius Cato and Regulus had bin that day with Aemilia they having bin witnesses of his glorie and importunately oblig'd to him But for that they were gone into the Country to a House of Papyrius's Scipio was without doubt delivered from a part of his trouble and that which hindered him from resenting greater disgust at what he heard was the civility of Aemilia and some gentle and obliging words which that fair person express'd concerning him in mentioning his preserving and rescuing Aemilius So true is it that the joy which the person belov'd excites is pure and extreamly sensible At our departure from thence I was also constain'd to accompanie Scipio this night to the house of his father Publius that I might here
the reflexions upon the fore-past afternoon But our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of his young brother whom Publius had sent for from Greece so that we could not have time then to speak of Aemilia But Madam admire I beseech you the capriciousness of fortune The young Scipio seeming a lovely and sprightly youth I began to set upon him and told him the Ladies and the Carthaginians would have no great cause to be glad of his arrival For if I be not deceived continued I you have an aspect that promises you will be undoubtedly both in Love and and War As for War answered he I shall betake my self to that assoon as I can for I conceive at first there is no more required then to obey But for Love I shall defend my self from it a long time for besides that 't is a troublesome thing to be intangled in I think I am yet to seek how to manage it The matter is not so hard as you believe replyed I smiling for love has a Torch to give light to those that acknowledge his Empire That Torch answered he gives light to few persons for I have seen this day in the house of Papyrius by which I pass'd two friends of yours who have great endowments of wit and capacity and yet have need of the light you speak of they were Fabius and Cato of which the first is in love and the other is his Confident But it was reported Fabius was so wise a Lover that he never appeared passionate and yet he was charg'd this morning for having suffer'd the secret of his heart to be known at Papyrius's house without ever having given the least intimation of it to Aemilia who is the person he loves And as for Cato he was sufficiently play'd upon with rallery for being the confident of a passion which he condemns and intermedling in the carrying on of an affair of which he understands not the perplexities and the pleasure and that kind of address which is only learnt by experience And indeed he declar'd that he had no genius for things of this nature but he believ'd he might promote the success by mediating with Lucius to accord the marriage of Fabius and Aemilia For marriage added he being an affair and that very important I conceive I should have done no dis-service by intermedling in it Thus Laelius proceeded he you see in what manner this Torch gives light or rather how love oftner lends lovers his fillet to bind them then the light you speak of to direct them Whilst the young Scipio was speaking thus his Ilustrious Brother turn'd away his head that he might not discover the commotion of his countenance But at length desirous to understand the matter more fully How brother said he is Fabius amorous of Aemilia Yes brother answered he and if you have any interest in the case you may direct your course accordingly As Scipio was going to reply Publius enter'd the Chamber so that the discourse was wholly broken off Publius began to express himself in much tenderness to his young Son who did the same with testimony of respect and reverence to his father A little time after my father came to see the brother of my illustrious friend and taking me away home with him Scipio was depriv'd of the hope he had to tell me his sentiments upon what his brother had related of Fabius's love The next day indeed he came to me after dinner when the Ceremony of an Alliance made between our Republick and Pineas King of Illyria was to be seen in the Capitol that day yet we must omit that to go see Aemilia But going at night to Publius's house whither Scipio made me to accompany him we learnt but too many particularities for Publius told us with a satisfi'd and smiling countenance that Illyria was become tributary to Rome And I wish continued he you had seen the Ceremony of the Alliance we have made with Pineas It is to be wondered said I to him that a Prince of such accomplishments and courage should do what you have told us Lucius has so great a power over his mind answered he that he could have made him do other things then this How My Lord said Scipio has Pyneas made this Alliance so advantageous to Rome onely by the influence of Lucius There is nothing more certain answered he and I shall amaze you more when I have recounted you what passed in the Capitol not above an hour a go Know then continued he that after the ceremonies were ended Pyneas desired Lucius and me to stay till all the crowd was gone where being without Witnesses Pyneas walked some time with us without speaking and at length stopping to consider that admirable stature of Romulus which stands at the end of the great Hall of the Capitol he read the Inscription upon the Pedestal upon which he blushed and sigh'd and then beholding us with an air sufficiently sad My Lords said he to us do not believe I have done what you have seen out of weakness or timerousness 't is a more noble inducement that makes me to act so and have not made this transaction but onely because he stopt after these few words and then resuming his discourse Ah My Lords pursued he I know not well what I say but my hand more bold then my tongue shall better express to you the sentiments of Pyneas let you know for what reason he makes himself tributary to the Romans And you shall see with this illustrious witness proceeded he addressing to Lucius and pointing to me whether the manner in which I have acted be unworthy either of Lucius or Pyneas Ending these words he drew a Pastil out of his sleeve and returning again to the stature of Romulus writ something under that which he had read after which again addressing to Lucius Read My Lord said he to him read and you you will see that Pyneas is more capable of elevation then of lownesse After these words he intimated to us that he could no longer be there with us so that after he was gone forth we approacht the Statue and read with surpize what the King of Illyria had written You know there are under that admirable statue four Verses which several Nations judge too haughty yet their loftiness is in some measure pardonable being grounded upon certain predictions which have been made to the advantage of Rome But the better to make you comprehend how ingenious the manner was wherewith Pyneas express'd his sentiments in which are altogether remarkable the handsomness of his wit the greatness of his courage and the violence of his love I must put you in mind that the four Verses I speak of and which seem to be spoken by Romulus are conceiv'd in these termes My City shall rule over Land and Sea And fill all parts with awe And all the Cities of the world one day Shall hence receive their law The King of Illyria to shew
had sufficient eloquence to prove it You have Madam answered Scipio to prove things much more difficult and Varro has not served himself of reasons strong enough to perplex so excellent a capacity as yours For Varro affirm'd continued he that 't is more noble to love then to be lov'd because when when we love we act and that with choise and liberty having in our power to determine to love or not the first moment we engage our selves But to be lov'd said he is to speak properly to do nothing but lend a dead pretence and receive testimonies of a passion that is not to be destroy'd which is not difficult to be refuted For if the person that loves acts and the person lov'd does not the forbearance of the latter is much more noble then the action of the other since the inducement to act proceeds from as well as the end of the action terminates in the person lov'd As it is the grandeur of a King to cause a thousand persons to act without taking the pains to act himself and doing that for his subjects which they are oblig'd to do for him But I have wondred more at that which Varro dar'd to affirm that 't is in our power to determine our selves to love or not and that to be lov'd is to do nothing but receive the tokens of an affection which we cannot extinguish I will not insist in finding out a contradiction in these words though it would be no difficult search But if a man can love or not love a Lady that desires not to be loved by him might easily give him powerful inducements to resolve not to love her so that contrary to the sentiments of Varro it will be in her power to extinguish the passion that such persons has for her But Varro is excusable for having spoken in this manner for he knows not very well what love is since according to his sentiment a man is able to determine to love or not to love and since he is ignorant that our hearts are on a suddain engaged before our reason deliberates the matter and we take the chains upon us without knowing whether we ought to wear or break them But in my judgement Varro is yet more unjust when he says with a kind of contempt that to be lov'd is to do nothing but onely receive the testimonies of an affection that cannot be extinguished For indeed what can be more glorious then that desirable impatience of not being able to hinder our selves from being beloved What can we say more magnificent of our Gods then that it is impossible to know them without loving and adoring them Thus you see Ladies how much Varro hath mistaken the matter and whether he has done well in going about to maintain an opinion which he ought never to have thought worthy to defend After these words Aemilia Fulvia Attilia Servilius and my self spoke somthing to intimate that the discourse of Varro had made no impression upon our minds or at least none that was very advantageous to him And it now growing late it fell out by chance that Scipio Varro Minutius and I went forth together when beholding one another with looks that spoke no great kindness as you may well judge Madam we silently and unadvertingly went along till we came upon the bank of Tyber where we walk'd some moments all in silence till at length Varro whose nature is sufficiently violent regretting what had pass'd at Aemilia's house lookt stedfastly upon Scipio after having blush'd two or three times You have had more assistants said he to him then I at Aemilia's but I do not despair having an other party which perhaps will render me happy in the manner I wish For I believe not continued he a Lady of extraordinary merit and whom I should honour infinitely as I do Aemilia ought to think her self injur'd if I take all manner of courses to marry her But on the contrary as there is nothing better evidences the greatness of a passion then the extraordinary means which are us'd to satisfie it I conceive a Lady how averse soever she seem would be glad to have great projects and contrivances employ'd to conquer her and indeed they bring more glory to him that serves himself of them and to the person for whom they are undertaken then those kind of little diligences slight complacencies and secret insinuations which being ordinarily without lustre are also ordinarily without glory You deceive your self Varro answered Scipio if you believe a Lady that were of Aemilia's humour could approve such violent proceeding which you term extraordinary courses On the contrary pursued he you must know that Virtue and seemliness have constituted certain waies beyond which all passes for rudeness and irregularitie and therefore a virtuous person would be so far from being wrought upon by those great projects and contrivances you speak of or to speak more clearly those boisterous attempts and violences that she would perfectly hate a man who in order to marry should take your great courses employ your grand projects and make choise of your extraordinarie means You ill apprehend my sentiments Scipio replied Varro when you speak of boisterous attempts for what power soever I have in Rome I will never make use of it to do violence to Aemilia You would have done verie well Varro said Scipio disdainfully to have said before that fair person what you say now though it had bin onely to have setled her mind For the house of the Aemilii have great reason to fear the power of Varro in Rome But Varro continued he with a fierce air you would do yet better not to speak so high of the party you have in Rome but believe your self not capable of using it against a house so illustrious as that of the Aemilii For when all is done Varro Aemilius will spoil your plots at his return and if in his absence you offer to execute any design not consistent with virtue I will do the same that he would do if he were at Rome It belongs not to you answered Varro blushing to examine of nature the designs I am framing are and I conceive you have not yet bin long enough at Rome either to make plots there or to be able to break them And 't is so little a while replied Scipio with a scornful air that your name has been known there that my name alone would break the partie that you have form'd and if this means be too weak I shall find others that will do it both more powerful and more infallible Those other means you intimate answered Varro fiercely will as little daunt me as the pronouncing of a name which seems to me to have nothing mysterious enough in it to do great exploits These words of Varro made Scipio lose the patience which he had till then preserv'd so that suddenly wresting a sword which was carryed by a slave Let us trie Varro cryed he whether I can well make use
and Nicomedes signified their desire to go visit him and the Prince of Carthage being informed that they might do it without incommoding him himself conducted them towards the generous stranger The first complements were very short and conformable to the nature of the place and the profession of the persons that made them After which the wounded King addressing to the King of Syria You may judge said he My Lord of the treatment which the friends of the Prince Hannibal may hope since his enemies receive so good Yes My Lord I am an enemy of the Prince Hannibal because I am engaged with his enemies nor am I much troubled to make an avowance thereof unto you which may speak my ingratitude So that at the same time I advantage the glory of my Benefactour Enemies of your quality answered Antiochus will without question be alwaies well treated by such persons as Hannibal and this Prince is so great a lover of virtue that he testifies his esteem of it whereever he meets it I know not what Hannibal hath done interposed the Prince of Carthage to be treated in this manner and as little whether you He hath done such brave things interrupted the Syrian King instantly without suffering Hannibal to continue that we should be ravished to know all he hath done Ah! my Lord added the wounded King I should be more particularly obliged to you then these Princes if you would do us the grace to cause the History of your life to be recounted unto us since having been so frequent a Victor I should have the consolation to observe some occurrence semblable to my late one in that recitall Oh my Lord cryed Nicomedes with a pleasing transport make me know fully that which I have so often admired And if I might be permitted said the Prince of Macedon to adde my prayers to those which ought to be more prevalent I should request the same favour My Lords answered the Prince Hannibal you demand so small a thing that I wonder you should ask it with so much instance Neverthelesse you shall be satisfied and Aspar shall relate you what he knows of my life After these words the Prince of Carthage commanded his Attendant to be called and in the mean while continuing the conversation with the Princes he told them that in a little time they would perceive that that Hannibal who was so much talk'd of was perhaps but little known and soon know the difference there is between the Hannibal of Carthage and the Hannibal of the Princess Thomira O beleeve notwithstanding answered Antiochus that the first which is he you speak of is sufficiently known and since few persons know what is that renders him different from the other I conceive the impatience is reasonable which I have to know it Yet I would not replyed Hannibal that the particularities of my life should come to the knowledge of the people there is a certain stupidity reigning amongst them which hinders them from judging truly of things and makes them condemn all they understand not and therefore it is not fit to discover that to them which they cannot know but imperfectly and since the losse of our libertie passes with them for a weakness and it is not necessary to encounter their Sentiments how unjust soever I conceive it not within the rule of prudence to let the multitude know what passes in the breasts of great men who are separated from the crowd Let them therefore only understand if a man hath Ambition since that passion is not noble when it is not known and ought to produce effects of gallantry to be commendable But the case of Love is far different this passion pleasing it self with making a secret of every thing and it would be to commit a prophanation to divulge its secrets to persons who are incapable to gust them in their purity So that there is I know not what of mysterious in it which looses its value as soon as it becomes too much discovered besides that this fair passion not acting but according to the disposition of the persons it subdues it is difficult for vulgar souls to believe that it can inspire others with noble sentiments at the same time that it inspires them with low and oftentimes criminall conceptions In which regard as I am very well pleased that Hannibal passes in the apprehension of the people for only an Inamorato of glory so I am glad on the contrary that amongst you My Lords he is known to be the slave of the most excellent Thomira Yes My Lords I am not unwilling to let you know all the particularities of my engagement and although it renders me unhappy yet I so much esteem the fair cause of that unhappiness that I account it my glory to have it known to such persons as you and I shall even finde consolation if you measure by what I suffer the greatness of the respects I have for a Princess who ought infinitely to be honoured The Princess of Castulon is so reasonable answered Perseus and I have heard speak so advantagiously of the beauties of her soul that it is past my comprehension how she could refuse her esteem to the Prince of Carthage and I comprehend less interrupted the young Nicomedes how she hath been able to retain that esteem without proceeding to something more tender You are too obliging answered Hannibal to the Prince of Bithynia and I believe it not difficult to comprehend for what cause the Princess Thomira could never resolve to render Hannibal happy since the first impression she received of me was an impression of hatred and when I have endeavoured by my services to root out of her breast the aversion she had against me I have perceived in this fair Princess so profound a sadness that I believed her own grief would employ her enough to divert her from taking care for that of another But My Lord said the wounded King this profound sadness ought not to discourage you for certainly the Princess of Castulon could not appear sad before you if she had only hatred for you and the presence of an enemy of whom she might revenge her self by making him suffer would not only not render her sad but be a means to moderate all her disturbances Yet I proceed further and believe that Thomira is not sad but for that she feels in her breast something for you very contrary to hatred and is not afflicted but by the combat which is in her spirit between a kinde of seemliness which acts against you and certain inclinations which are favourable unto you Besides I have heard from the mouth of this fair Princess by an adventure which I shall recount to you hereafter some complaints which had something of so sweet something of so tender and something so sensible and touching that I could not but accompany the tears I saw fall from the fair eyes of this amiable mourner with my own But My Lord continued he seeing Aspar enter
unto them after having signed the Articles This was not because the heart of Amilcar had consented to this peace but that Prince knew that in an affair of this nature there is alwaies some party discontented and that it is enough that Treaties be made according to the accustomed formalities without that one be obliged to know the inside of the persons that make them After he had ended this Negotiation he passed with very great disquiet a part of the Night which followed that accord till at length Nature would repair the strength which the agitations of Amilcar had dissipated and cause this Prince to taste a Dream more pleasing then the troubles which preceded it had seemed to promise which dream was continued without interruption till the approach of day The fair Queen Dido appeared in the Chamber of Amilcar but so as she seemed all cloathed with light and shewing a countenance satisfied and smiling convinced the Prince that all apparitions are not alwaies dreadfull This agreeable Spectre did not less evidence its joy by its words then by its gesture Amilcar said she presently to the Carthaginian General as we have since understood Amilcar chase away all that pensiveness and gloomy melancholy that afflicts thee Thy wife hath this night made thee Father of a Sonne who will be the glory and stay of Carthage Yes Amilcar thy illustrious Son shall revenge our losses and make the Romans feel that Tyrants are not alwaies secure and that the revolt of Sardinia will supply a mean to break the peace of Sicily Beside the interest of my City continued this bright Queen I am to consider that of my reputation which the Romans must endeavour to rase out of the mindes of Posterity to augment that of a Vagabond These malitious flatterers of a miserable Trojan proceeded Dido will assault my glory and which is more dare to averre that I did not cast my self into the flames but through an excesse of love which I had for a stupid insensible person although all the world knows that I did that action which will be ever deemed glorious only to avoid the pursuits of Hyarbas King of Getulia who was importunate to receive that faith which I yet reserved for the unhappy Sychaeus Amilcar started and awaked at this part of the discourse and thinking to return an answer to this great Queen he perceived she was vanished although he beleeved he saw still some glimpses of fading light in his chamber This Prince being ravished with joy instantly caused himself to be made ready to go and give orders for the imbarking of his Troops and having already prepared all that was necessary thereunto when he treated the peace with Lutatius he was quickly in a posture to set fail which he did within a few daies and by a favourable winde came happily to the Port of Carthage All our principal Citizens repaired immediatly to him to testifie their partaking in his satisfaction they congratulated the happy delivery of the Princess his Wife and manifested for the birth of Hannibal for this was the Prince of whom the Queen Dido spake as much joy as the present estate of publick affairs could permit The Prince and they which saw the admirable Infant were astonisht at the sight and presaged such great things from him that even without designe they made the horoscope of this young Prince by such exclamations The little Hannibal did not weep as other Infants of that age use to do but fixedly beheld all those which stood about him which raised a conceit in those that saw him that even his first Infancie was fierce After the first transport of joy for the birth of Hannibal and the sight of the fair Princesses Asdrubelea and Magarisbe Daughters of Amilcar the Prince was â—nformed of a strange multitude of Mutineers of the remnant of Hanno's Army was at Sica and the Villages thereabouts that their number encreased prodigiously every day and that they demanded the Arâ—ear that was due to them that Carthage not being in a condition to pay them it was to be feared â—est some greater disorder might arise He learnt moreover that those Troops were composed of Africans Gaules Spaniards Greeks Lygurians and Baleares as also that their Leaders were Spendius a Campanian Matho a Lybian and Autharic a Gaule Nevertheless he believed it no difficult matter to calm this Tempest Whereupon he he determined to act like a Noble Patriot and sold all that he had of value to discharge these male-contents and by that means to appease the troubles in their birth In order whereunto there was one Giscon deputed to go to them being a person well respected by those Troops which he had sometimes commanded under Hanno he was impower'd to act according as he should see requisite to grant the factious all they pretended to be their due and also whatsoever they demanded So that the Carthaginians hoped a happy procedure of this affair and conceived they should at length have respite after a warre which had not permitted them any in four and twenty years But alas how appearances did abuse use and we soon found how lightly men embrace those conceits which flatter them The offers of the Carthaginians encreased the insolence of the seditious who believed Carthage was fearfull when she became indulgent and demanded the prices of those horses which they had lost in Sicily that of corn which was formerly promised should be sent to the Army and a thousand other things which were till then unthought of by them Giscon conceded them according to the order which he had received and as he was upon the point of setling these hot spirits Spendius whom I before mentioned the privy Leader of this pernicious Ligue broke off all negotiation with Giscon and African and began that irreconcilable war This perfidious Spendius was once Servant to a Roman Citizen but had quitted his Master and listed himself in our Troops Upon which account he believed if the peace with Giscon treated took effect it would be necessary to deliver him up according to the Agreement between the Carthaginians and Romans and that so he should be punished after the rigour or the Laws as a Fugitive slave This Consideration moved him to ward off his own unhappiness with ours and mounting upon a raised Turf to be the better seen and heard he suddenly uttered these words to the Troups which were thronged together to hear him My Companions behold the day which promises you all the advantages which you can wish 'T is endeavoured to appease you with a pittance of money after you have been enforced to undergo the greatest rudeness Accept of this money since it is in your power and to get more let us march to Carthage as the source of riches 'T is thither My Companions we must go to get support to live in quiet the rest of our dayes 'T is there where Africa will style you her Deliverers when we shall have overcome that City which would
seem'd to obscure him ever appear so bright and glorious as Thomira did when she was established in her former health All the World both in the City and in the Camp testified their chearâ—ul sentiments foâ— it and such Ladies as had suffered no considerable losses seem'd as if they had become more fair and charming But all these changes were nothing câ—mparable to that which was beheld upon the countenance of Nadalia for this fair Virgin who a little before appeared full of zeal and generosity was now wholly amiable and sprightly it is true that she accompanied her joy with a certain fiercenes which yet advanced her beauty And this will not be accounted strange if it be considered that Nadalia was the daughter of Alcon one of the principal Senators of Saguntum tâ—at she was fair and but in her eighteenth year and above all this she had a generous soul as unquestionably you have observed by that noble proof I have shewn she gave during the sickness of the Princess But if this lovely Virgin was wholly given up to joy after the recovery of Thomira for whom she had an extream tenderness my Master was so abandoned to the violence of his love that he determined to declare it to his Princess both to comfort his minde and to direct his carriage for the future He did me the favour to communicate to me his design but I soon knew that it was not so much to know my sentiments of it as to have the satisfaction of speaking of his Prâ—ncess Aspar said he to me do you not perceive that we had seen but halâ— of the Princess before Was it then possible to admire the majesty of her port and the vivacity of her countenance Could we I say admire the brightness of her eyes and that aire which instantly subdues the heart without that one can know the cause of that conquest if it were not that she is well known to be the most charming thing in the world so that it is certain that whosoever had had no love for Thomira in her sicknesse ought now to adore her But to what purpose is it proceeded the Prince to have love and adoration for Thomira if Thomira know it not It is necessary to let her know it said he and that either she be sensible of what she makes me suffer or that I shortly dye at her feet But alas wherein will it advantage me to let her know it if Attanes have the means to win her heart He has no such means recollected he instantly and I should do you injury my adorable Princess if I believed that Attanes could prevail upon your affection after he hath born Arms against you having sound you insensible before he had committed that crime Do not wonder Aspar continued he that I reason in this manner having my self also born Arms against Thomira for although there were no difference between the King of the Turdetans and Hannibal yet there would alwayes be in this for that I was a declared Enemy and but acted as ordinarily Enemies do whereas the offence which hath been received from Attanes hath a more surprising and cruel appearance as being received from a hand from which wholly contrary treatment was expected Besides that which may possibly cause aversion against me in the breast of Thomira may as well cause esteem and that fair Princesse can never think of Hannibal when he was in the head of an Enemy Army without perceiving at the same time Hannibal victorious and then that Hannibal is not a conquest absolutely unworthy of Thomira Let us go then added he being moved by violent and haughty humour and make it seen that my Rivals are as little formidable to me as my Enemies have been hitherto in the head of their Armies Let us go tell the Princesse that Hannibal loves her that Hannibal adores her that Hannibal who by his birth raigns over one half of the world and wears that by his side wherewith to subdue the other and lay at the feet of the Divine Thomira all the Crowns in the earth In ending these words he went towards the Princesse of Castulon with whom he found Nadalia three or four fair Ladies of Saguntum Anno Magar and Alorca who was a Spaniard of quality that had served in our Army My master immediately learnt there that Attanes could not obtain a sight of the Princesse and soon after understood that she was pleased to walk upon a fair Turrace which was on the top of the Palace Hannibal led the Princesse by the hand being ravished with joy at the opportunity Anno lead Nadalia and Magar Alorca and my self attended upon the other Ladies which were of this presence But this walk which was imagined would have been very pleasing was really sad in its beginning for the fair Princess of Castulon could not behold from the Turrace the ruines of Saguntum without sighing which prevailed on my Master to sigh with her instead of declaring his passion as he had resolved So that he dared not open his lips to her seeing her persist silent by which testifying that he lived not but in her He gave fair proofs of his passion although without the discovery which he intended Nevertheless it was requisite at length for him to speak and so he protested That Saguntum should never have been besieged if Hannibal had known the fair Thomira And I swear to you Madam continued he by all that is most sacred that I am so far from attaquing any place which should have the honour to inclose your divine person that I should have had veneration towards it and have lost my life in defence of it Wherefore I am minded to make the utmost reparation possible and by your commands to render Saguntum so proud and magnificent that it shall shortly be the first City of Spain not excepting our new Carthage for all the expence that Asdrubal hath laid upon it Alas my Lord answered Thomira why is it that you have done what is past before your eyes or what induces you to do as you do at present For unfeignedly my Lord never did any person act so nobly as you And not to speak concerning the offer which you make me of repairing Saguntum or the life you have given to the Prince Lucius or the liberty which you have granted all the prisoners I observe something yet more obliging and generous in your manner of acting for you would have me give orders for the repairing of Saguntum you give life to a Prince who hath attempted upon yours and whereas you give life to Lucius and liberty to the prisoners you give both the one and the other in my name and treat your prisoner as a Soveraign The Princess interrupted the passionate Carthaginian whom you unjustly call a prisoner shall rule every where that I have power And you ought not wonder Madam proceeded he beholding the princess with eyes that spoke what his mouth was going to pronounce that I give life
consequence could not but be delightful But I know not My Lord added she smiling if I have not intangled my selfe with this effect and the cause I would to the Gods you were said Hanno and that I were the cause I would entangle her after another fashion said prince Lucius for I am minded to quarrel with her Have you not committed an injustice fair Nadalia for I am constrained so to style you whatsoever enemy I am to you have you not I say committed an injustice in declaring that I entered upon the discourse of the princely Thomira only as a preface to that of the Princess of the Ilergetes and can you be ignorant that Lovers are always in a readiness to give themselves contentment without the assistance of others and that there needs no more but to think upon the desired object Wherefore fair Nadalin I have not spoken of the princess of Castulon but for her own sake without regard to your succeeding promise and I conceive it more advantageous to contemplate on the perfections of the beloved person then to confine them and narrow them in language so that a conversation of this kind cannot but retrench somewhat of the pleasure of a Lover since it seems to dissipate some part of those fair Idea's which are the onely source of pleasure during absence and which cause solitude to be more desirable then company and entertainment As the Prince of Celtiberia had ended these words and observed that Nadalia offered no answer How Nadalia said he answer you nothing without falshood my Lord answered this pleasing Beauty you ought to have given me time to have devised a sutable answer were I so skilled in Rhetorick or rather said she smiling were I a lover I should speak my own sentiments as you have spoken yous All this doth not satisfie us replyed Lucius and it is requisite for you to defend your Cause after another manner or to confess that you have injuriously accused me I shall never confess that my Lord replyed she but shall rather chuse to return you an answer of any thing that comes next into my mind upon this occasion Wherefore I am of opinion proceeded she with her accustomed pleasantness and I know not whether this may not be thought the defending of a cause that conversation hath something more agreeable in it then pensiveness musing and since we cannot speak but of that whereof we think it appears that conversation affords a double pleasure thence that it is better to speak then only to ruminate in silence Besides that words have I know not what of life quickness in them and when any one speaks advantageously of the person we affect there accrues this satisfaction unto us of seeing our own sentiments approved and that joynt esteem of another authorizing our choise And as for my self My Lord added she I would not restrain my thoughts in the manner you mention for being they would give me nothing but melancholly I should be glad to retrench a part of them by letting them forth in conversation but if they purported gladness I should endeavour to increase it by communication Your Reasons fair Nadalia replyed Lucius give testimony of your superlative wit beyond mine but they cannot perswade me that you have justice on your side As for me added Hanno ravish't with joy to hear the discourse of this amiable Damsel I believe that it is difficult to resist the reasons of Nadalia as it is impossible to hold out against the charmes of her beauty My Master after this took his turn and exprest himself much to the advantage of this fair Sâ—guntine and the Princess of Castulon interressed her selfe so much in the praises that were given her that she appeared more obliging with this tenderness then by all that she could have said her self Alorca who began to address to the Princess with an extraordinary zeal and who testified great alacrity in every thing that concerned either her service or her inclination said that Nadalia deserved all that was spoken advantageously of her and yet all that had been spoken to her advantage was not all that she deserved Nevertheless Alorca answered Thomira I conceive it reasonable that praises be applyed to some particular quality of the person that is commended but that which you have said is so wide and at large that it may be applyed generally to persons of much merit and whom we cannot praise enough But Mâ—dam replyed he what is that I might declare to be proper to Nadalia and which may raise my expressions above what hath bâ—en said already You might say answered Hannibal that the Princess Thomira hath judged Nadalia worthy of her esteem and affection and so you would signifie that which is it more particular and glorious to Nadalia This young beauty returned no other answer then a reverence which she made with a grace altogether charming After which conceiving it now time to leave the Princess she made her a very pleasing complement and very far from ceremony Thomira embraced and kâ—ssed Nadalia and this fair Saguntine going forth with Anno who led her Hannibal Lucius and Alorca went forth also My Master was not sooner returned to his apartment but Alcon who had awaited him came to do him reverence and rendered him an exact account of what he had done in rallying the dispersed Saguntines Hannibal made a thousand civiâ—â—ies to Alcon and offered to give him the superintendance of all the affâ—â—rs of Saguntum and afterwards to impower him with a command which should have no other dependance then on the authority of the princess Thomira Alcon rendred acknowledgements to the Prince of Carâ—haâ—e and after some little times conference together this sage Senator withdrew The next morning Lucius visited my Master and these two Princes contracted a most firm friendship protestâ—ng they would keep the swords they had imployed in the fight between them to atchieve contrary actions to that wherein they were ingaged as I have related during the siege of Saguntum These two Princes had scarce exchanged these protestations of a true and inviolable amity one towards another but Maharbal Anno and Alorca entered into the Chamber of Hannibal The conversation that was made there was agreeable enough when it happned to be insensibly fallen upon the passion of Anno every one spoke of the charmes that had given it birth Anno would not make a mystery of a passion it was his design to have apparent and being a great Gallant and of a noble and open genius he did not act after the manner of those close Humorists who believe they do things with adress and handsomness when they carry them secretly He was satisfied there was nothing but what was commâ—ndable in the love he had for such a person as Nadalia and that he needed not be in fear of letting that be known which he was upon the point of declaring to Alcon himselfe Whereupon he openly affirm'd that Nadalia a person
the Princess But Nadalia was no sooner out of the arms of Thomira who embraced and kissed her with an extraordinary tenderness but Hannibal and Lucius made their complement unto her The Ladies likewise made theirs afterwards as also did Maharbal Anno Alorca Adherbal and Magar so that the whole afternoon was spent in a very agreeable confusion and instead of Nadalia's speaking all the speech was turned upon Nadalia About evening Alcon came to render thanks to the Prince of Carthage he assured him of an inviolable fidelity and was so diffuse and eloquent in extolling the magnificence of Hannibal that it would be difficult for me to repeat it to you He told him that it belonged to none but to the great Prince of Carthage to make such Presents and to make them to persons which could not deserve them So that my Lord continued he it cannot be said that you recompence but rather that you confer a largess intirely pure and glorious My Master answered Alcon very obligingly after which this Senator presented to him two persons of a sufficient comely aspect who were the Delegates of Castulon which Thomira would not admit till they had first assured the Prince Hannibal of their services and respects Hannibal shall alwaies receive you said my Master to the Delegates embracing them but he will receive you as friends not as Delegates for 't is our Princess alone added he being carried by his passion that ought to give audience in what ever place she be He after made a thousand civilities to the Delegates and did not send them back till he had first conferred on them very magnificent presents The next morning my Master went to visit the Prince of Celtiberia whereas the conversation came to fall concerning the Delegates of Castulon Lucius said he thought it fit the Princesse should make the journey they came to beseech her to The people of Castulon proceeded he have of long time desired ardently to see her and although it were not so yet we ought not to be averse in removing the Princesse from a place which cannot but appear to her very lamentable and disconsolate My Master was presently of this opinion it seemed so just and advantageous to the repose of Thomira so that Lucius Alcon Nadalia and the Delegates of Castulon made their proposal the same day and obtained that of the Princess which they demanded Neverthelesse it was not without many intreaties and instances because Thomira alledged she could not resolve to forsake Saguntum nor to go take pleasure in Castulon at a time wherein she knew not what was become of the Prince her Father Lucius did not fail to answer to every particular and to press his fair Cousin so far that she at length promised to depart when ever it should seem good to him My Master had no sooner learnt from Lucius the resolution of the Princesse but he gave all orders that were necessary and caused all provisions to be so diligently dispatched that within two days all was in readinesse for this departure It were impossible for me to describe all there was of splendid agreeable and pompous in this journey it suffices to say that Thomira Nadalia and ten or twelve fair Ladies of Saguntum composed this company that Hannibal Lucius Anno Alorca and several other great Carthaginian and Saguntine Lords waited upon these Ladies whilst Maharbâ—l Adherbal and Magar conducted the Troops But as it is impossible to describe exactly the gallantry and splendor of this journey so also must it not be tolerated to omit wholly this fair part of my Narration in silence Therefore I am bold to assure you that never was any thing seen so magnificent in Habilâ—ments Chariots Horses and all kind of accoutrements that might adde lustre to the Equipage Anno and Nadalia were very gallantly cloathed and the Princess who had refused all care that was offered to adorne her appeared notwithstanding very comely and admirably fair in a Gown of white silk guarded with a little broydery of silver Lucius was very well adjusted although he was absent from the Princess of the â—â—ergetes and his aspect was so high and noble that without question he would have born the glory away from all men if Hannibal had not been in the party But without exaggeration I may say that my Illustrious Master appeared in this re-encounter although it were onely a piece of Gallantry something above that which men seem to be and his great and fierce minde was yet more advantaged by the care he had permitted his attendants to use in dressing him magnificently during his voyage On the day of the departure he wore a stâ—tely Coat of Arms of purple which the Tyrians had presented him with and which was all embroidered with Pearls and beset with a prodigious number of Stones of great price which cast a sparkling lustre on all sides his head was not covered but with a small Helmet garnished with the fairest plumes that were ever seen in Africa he bore a javelin in his right hand and on his left side a sword enamelled with Diamonds on which he had not yet daâ—ed to put any Tokens of his love to avoid the displeasure of his Princess That which admirably set off all these ornaments was a brave white Steed whereon my Master was mounted for this day which was so goodly and proud that the like had scarce ever been seen in our Countries where notwithstanding you know are bred the goodliest Horses in the world To all this must be added that the Prince of whom I spake was a young Conqueror that had filled the whole earth with the fame of his Victories It would be also requisite to describe the aspect which animated all this bravery and imprinted respect and oftentimes fear in the breasts of those which beheld it were it not sufficient to say that I am speaking of the famous Hannibal Of whom having thus largely dilated I should be unwilling to resolve to describe the other persons who were of this company were it not that I am obliged thereunto and that I conceive it necessary to inform you of some particularities for the better comprehending of some great passages which I have to recount you You may please therefore to know my Lords That Alorca after the departure of Attanes commanded all the Auxiliary â—roops and that notwithstanding this employment he was so wholly bent to be near the Princess during all this voyage that he left the conduct of his Troops to the inferior Officers and alwayes marched with Hannibal Lucius and Anno by the side of the chariot of Thomira in wich also Nadalia was with a fair Virgin of Saguntum her Cousin All the world believed at first that this deportment of Alorca proceeded onely from his ambition but there were some persons that observed it so narrowly that they soon suspected a piece of the truth and saw that ambition did not raign alone in his soul For Alorca had somewhat of melancholly
our Laws Thus Madam we are going to see Scipio marching to Victory with a more firm and glorious place and we shall soon see him a conqueror because we shall see him General and moreover we shall remark what has hitherto bin unknown that love will have a greater share in the brave actions he is going to perform then either ambition or the interest of his Country I shall not detain you Madam with any particulars preceding our departure as the equipage of my friend which shewed both his magnificence and his affliction the Levies he caused to be made to recruit the Troop which were scarce any thing more then the Reliques of an Army nor with the last conversation he made with Aemilia I shall content my self with telling you that their separation was not without expressions infinitely dear and extreamly heroical and that Scipio left the Palace of Claudia with so great regret and yet with so noble an ardor that it was not difficult to remark in his countenance a mixture of fierceness love and sorrow After which he speedily took order for all things requisite to his voyage and having had the goodness to tell me he would give me the command of one of the two Armies we departed from Rome embarqued and without the arrival of anp accident that deserves relation happily landed with thirty ships of War at the Port of Emporia from whence we went to Taragona the to hold a Council of War and receive the Embassadors of our Allies Nevertheless these Military affairs did not hinder Scipio from resenting a sensible sorrow when he considered how far remote he was from Aemilia and in a Country where his Father and Uncle had bin slain But if this circumstace of place reduc'd into his mind the death of those two men it was more lively represented to him by the presence of his young brother and that of his kinsman Nasica whom we found at Tarrogona It was in this City that Scipio intended to add to the immortal glory of Publius and Cnaeus the magnificence of Monuments which he did with so much sorrow that I esteemed his affliction infinitely more valuable then the marble and porpliry which he caused to be employed in the Work Nevertheless if as I said the Offices of a General did not hinder him from performing the duty of a Son his piety did as little hinder him from discharging that of Captain of an Army Wherefore he drew his Forces into the field assoon as he judg'd himself in a posture to march against Asdrubal who had made a confederacy with the Kings of Celtiberia and the Illergetes and was moreover advantaged by the valour of Lucius Prince of Celtiberia who was deeply enamoured on the Princess of the Illergetes for whose sake he was come into Spain Hereupon Scipio resolved to fight those three Confederates whose Army was indeed gallant and numerous and left the Naval Forces to be commanded by me with a satisfaction that was soâ—n abated by the necessity of our separation I should have a thousand things to tel you of the great actions performed by this admirable General were they not already sufficiently published by fame And I might also tell you by the way that I had the happiness to give chase to all the Carthaginian ships that appeared upon the Coast which I guarded and at length we gave battel to Himilcon in which I came off not ingloriously But Madam neither was any thing that I perform'd or the young Scipio Nâ—siâ—a Martius and Syllarus though persons of eminent valour in any measure comparable to the actions of our Hero he beat Asdrubal took prisoner Mangonius King of the Illergetes and in spight of the opposition of Lucius who is one of the valiantest Princes of the world and was dangerously wounded in this encounter cut in pieces part of their Army put the other to flight and to compleat the terror of the Spaniards resolved upon the siege of their capital City the new Carthage which was without doubt one of the fairest richest and strongest Cities of Europe I being at that time not far distant from Scipio he was pleased to require my judgment upon the resolution he had made in order to which I was no sooner come to him upon his summons but he called a Council of War But we scarce assembled to deliberate what course to take in this important enterprise but we beheld a man enter whose sadness presently affected Scipio and caused him to advance towards the door of the chamber to enquire the cause of his coming and his melancholy What intelligence do you bring us Valerius said he to him for he was a person that belonged to Emilius Is it any bad newes of Claudia your Master or he was not able to pronounce the name of Emilia before one that came from her and sad too I left Claudia and Aemilia in good health answered he but my Lord the case is not so well with my Master who is wounded and prisoner in no Carthage How Aemylius prisoner and wounded cryed Scipio with great surprise although with less grief then he would have resented if he had not before heard good tydings of Aemylia 'T is most certain he is so my Lord answered he and to tell you in few words the circumstances of this misfortune you may please to know that my Master would not go with you from Rome fearing least the alliance which is shortly to be between you might induce you to offer him the most eminent employments even to the prejudice of Laelius for which reason not to cast you into the necessity of being deficient either in relation to love or friendship he would not discover to you that he intended to serve under you and staid till you had given your friend and your relations the most important charges before he would come to joyn with you And he no sooner understood that Laelius was to command the Naval Army and that you had also disposed of the eminentest places but he departed from Rome though not till after he had acquitted himself in a combate with the Prince of Macedonia for the interests of Papyria But my Lord we accomplisht not our voyage so happily as we began it for about seven or eight days since we were set upon by a party of Carthaginians when we had but three or four hours journey to reach your Army Although my Master had onely some Officers of his house and two or three slaves yet he would not yield himself but with admirable valour for a long while resisted a body of sixty or eighty horse Nevertheless it behoved at length to give way to number Aemylius was wounded taken and led to Carthage where he is very well accommodated but extream vigilantly guarded because the Carthaginians having learnt who he is resolve not to deliver him either for exchange or ransome but to keep him in order to advantage themselves by him in making a composition in case your valour reduce