incumbrance of hers that he may speedily effect it But good and tender hearted Creature her affection was too great to suffer her to yeild to any thing conducing to his death and the more he strives to dis-engage her breast from his the closer she clings to him vowing withal thaâ— if he wounded himself it should bâ— by forcing the sword first through her body to which she added that she would not live to be so miserable as to loose so dear a person so soon and in the same place where she had been so happy to finde him unexpectedly that very gratitude forbâ—de her to consent to the taing away his life who had lately and miraculously preserved hers and as she had some reason to believe infused a new life into her that it would be less affliction to her to die before him than to survive and behold at once the dead bodies of two persons each of which she had loved infinitely above her owne life and that the death he so much dreaded from the Hangman was not so unavoidable as his fears had made him imagine but there were other wayes of evasion besides self murder and would he but follow her advice she doubted not to put him upon such a course as should procure both his owne security and her content The Soldier more effectually wâ—ought upon by this last clause than by all else she had said and remembring the old saying that Women are alwayes more subtle and ingenious at Evasions in suddain Exigences than Men he easily promise h as who would not in his case to listen to her Câ—unsel and pursue it also if it appeared reasonable Well then saith this Good woman since the body of the best and greatest of Mortals is but a lump of clay after the departure of the Soul which gave it life sense and motion that all Relations are extinguished in death all Piety is determined in the gravâ— that it is but Charity to use the Reliques of the Dead in case of necessity to preserve the Living why should not I dispense with the formality of post hume-respects to the putrifying Corps of my deceased Huâ—band and make use of it for the preservation of my living friend with whose life my own is insepâ—rably bound up and whose danger therefore is equally mine come therefore my Dear and let us take my Husbands body out of his Coffin and place it upon the Gibbet in the room of the Malefactors which you say hath been stolen away Death you know doth so change and disfigure the Countenance as to disguise it from the knowledg of even the most familiar acquaintance Who then can distinguish his naked body from the other besides we will besmear his face with blood and dirt and rather than fail in any part of resemblance break his arms and legs and make the same wounds in him the Executioner did in the Rogue 's so that his nearest Relations shall not be able to find a difference much less shall strangers who come to gaz-upon such horrid spectacles out of a â—avage Curtâ—sity and commonly stand a loof off The Souldier quickly approves the woman's project how to excuse him and having no time for now day was approaching to insist upon acknowledgment either of her great love or of the felicity of her wit he joyns his strength with hers and removes the Husband's Corps out of the vault to the Gibbet whereon he placeth it in the same posture he had left the villains omitting no part of those resemblances she had suggested as requisite to delude the spectators Which cone He and his incomparable Mistriss secretly retire to consuâ—t further not only of their present safety but also how they might continue that mutual hapineâ—s which Fortune had so unexpectly begun betwixt them And thus did they put an end to this nights Adventures which had been admirable to them both and we may from hence learn the instability of all sublunary things but more particularly the Mutability and Levity of women so that there is no great heed to be taken of them especially when they are in their passions as I may conclude the Empress is now possest of which rageth so extreemly that nothing but the death of your Son the Prince Erastus will quallisy whether her passion be Love or Hate I know not but believe in the conclusion you will finde that it is both and that Hate at present is the product of former Love but let it be which or how it will I am sure it is not commendable in her to let it proceed so far as to take away the life and honor of a Prince so vertuous as is Prince Erastus and who I hope if you please to spare from executing at present will very suddainly make it appear to you and all the world that he is not in the least guilty of the crimes whereof he hath been accused I have already told you that some others say this was the story or example which Lencus the Philosopher did write in a Letter and send to the Emperour but some agen say that it was the former of the Physitian of Millain they are both to one purpose and efect to shew the weakness instabillity and passions of women and may be and are well applyed to the Emperour in this occasion about his Son Erastus for the satisfaction of the Reader that nothing may be wanting to make this book as compleat as possibly as I can I have given the Reader an account of them both he may give credit to which he pleaseth and therefore I shall thus proceed After the Philosopher Lencus had sealed and subscribed this Letter he delivered it to one of the Soldiers that was set to gard him charging him above all things to deliver it that morning early to the Emperour and to tell him that it was an advertisement of very great importance This the Soldier promised faithfully to do and thereupon he went directly to the Castle to execute his charge the Emperour seeing the day break and that the Sun did already gild the tops of the mountains that he might be distant from a spectacle so miserable as that of the death of his Son and of seven Persons esteemed and reputed to be the wisest of that Age he therefore purposed to ride out into the fields to divert his melancholly as well as he could and as he was about to mount on horseback the Soldier which the Philosopher had sent making his reverence delivered the Letter to him He instantly opening it read it but not without great alteration which was taken notice of by those that were about him seeing that he often changed colour from thence beleiving that it was something concerning the Prince Erastus The Emperour having then read this Letter remained for some time very pensive without speaking one word yet withal concluding that he could do no less than to communicate this advertisement to the counsel he returned in some pâ—ssion to the
was somewhat dissatisfied for that her presents had been returnâ—d without any litteral answer but being blinded by her passion she absolutely beleived the slave and therefore rested contented her self and highly contented him by great riches which she gave him earnestly expecting the arrival of Erastus but thinking his stay to be very long and passionately desiring his company she devised to hasten him by the Emperours command and therefore she sollicited him to condiscend that Erastus might come to Rome CHAP. IV. The Empress Aphrodiciâ— perswades the Emperour to cause Erastus to come to Rome where by his command great preparation was made for his entertainment SOON after this the Emperour and Emperess being in â—ed together she began to speak of the Prince Erastus highly commending the means which the Emperour had used to provide Masters for him that were so excellent as the seven Phylosophers to render him perfect in all things and worthy of the the gâ—eat Roman Empire which Nature had provided for him being as she said very joyful of the greaâ— gâ—â—d and profit which the Prince had attained by his study and of the advantage which all the World would receive by meanâ— of his perfections but that she had been somewhat troubled why the Prince was not present at the solemnity of her nuptials Whereunto the Emperour replyed that the youthfulness of the Prince was the cause lest in an age which was inclined to pleasure the pomp and delicacies which he might see at the solemnitly more than at another time might distract divert him from the study of Philosophy in which he not being sufficiently grounded all the pleasures which he might take should turn more to his disadvantage than true content if he should place his affection on the pleasures that would be presented to him at Rome and it was to be feared that instead of the goâ—d affection he had to his study he should be debauched as it would be difficult to reduce him to that agen wherein he well profited that there was great hopes he would in time be so great a proficient in all vertues as to arrive at the highest perfection All this discourse of the Emperour only served as fire and flame to consume the poor Empress who already sufficiently enflamed with the love of the Prince Erastus Whereupon taking the opportunity of this discourse of the Emperours to obtain her desires she thus replyed to him wherefore â—ir do you permit these great vertues to be hidden and to what end is it that your Son for I love him as well as you hath so well profited to râ—main alwayes in an obscure place where his vertue is unknown wherefore do you not cause him to come to Rome where there is so many wayes to employ his perfections for in the fâ—â—st place he will see how affairs are mananaged he will make himself known as the Senate and People and by that means will encrease the esteem that every one hâ—th for you not only for the good usage which they have under your government but also for the great foresight wâ—h they shall see in you for having providâ—d for them a Prince well instructed to keep them in peace after your discease The good Emperour hearing his Son thus commended and being in a manner ravished with joy of a fatherly love thus answered the Empress I assure you Madam I have often had it in my thoughts to do what you advise me to and do now purpose very suddenly to cause my Son Erastus to come to Rome The Empress hearing this and seeing her affairs in so good order ceased not till she had brought them to perfection so that the Emperour promised the next day to send to the Phylosophers to know if Prince Erastus might come to him without prejudice to his Studdy lettiâ—g them know that if what was reported of the Prince were true he might come without any danger The nâ—xt day then for th s purpose he dispatched a Gentle-man one of the most considerable persons of his Court who being arrived at the Palace of Prince Erastus delivered to the Phylosophers what he had in charge from the Emperour enjoyning them to accompany the Prince Erastus to Rome so as they were assured he was Master of those perfections as was so much desired and reported of him The Phylosophers understanding this they conducted the Embassadours who was a wise Gentleman to the Pâ—ince Erastus and having in his presence examined him upon several points of Phylosophy to whom the Prince made very pertinent answers and moreover disputing with him the most subtilty that they could in all manner of Science the Phylosophers thereupon said to the Gentleman whom the Emperour had senâ— that he might boldly assure his Mâ—jesty that Prince Erastus hâ—s Sâ—n was one of the wisest youâ—g men that could be found in all the World and that they purposed in order to his Fathers commands to wait on him the next day The Gentleman being very joyful of this news and of what he had seen being arrived at the Court gave the Emperour an account of his Embassie who could not contain himself for great joy to hear that the Vertue of his Son was no less than report had given out but above all the Empress Aphrodicia understanding that the comming of her dearly beloved Erastus was so nere she knew not how to moderate her present joy Upon this account the Emperour caused the Senate and all the M gistrates and Officers of Rome to assemble commanding them to be ready the next day to meet his son Erastus This being nâ—ised amongst the people every one began to make preparations and to provide for the greatest feast that had for a long 〈◊〉 bâ—n in Rome the horsemen were ready to accompany the triumphant Chariots which went to meet the Prince with all sorts of instruments for such a n entertainment so that there was no corner of all Rome but what was filled with joy this young Prince being desired of every one but more especialy of the Ladâ—es above all by the Empress to whom the night seemed to last a thousand years by reason of the great desire she had to have a sight of him of whom she was so much enamoured withal having never seen him CHAP. V. Erastus foresaw by the course of the Stars that in his voyage to Rome he should dye a shamful death having no other remedy but to remain seven dayes without speaking The Philosophers his Masters obliged themselves respectively one by one to preserve him from all harm during those seven dayes THAT very evening whereon these preparations were made at Rome for the entertainment of Prince Erastus he being walking in a Garden had a mind to see the cause and influence of the Stars the good or ill fortune that should happen to him in his Voyage to Rome and beholding the Heavâ—ns and â—he Aspects of the Planets he was perfect in the Science of Astrology and who pâ—rfectly know the course of the
yeâ— the 〈◊〉 of which put me upon the dâ—sire of this revâ—â—◠〈…〉 thought it would have 〈…〉 â—â—â—dly said her Master for I know 〈…〉 the cause goes and by thiâ— me◠〈…〉 you will please me very much â—f 〈…〉 â—â—ur self instead of a reward I will inflict upâ—◠〈◊〉 a punishment so strange that I will make thee tell the truth by force The poor and unhappy Chamber-maid began to relate the love between her and the â—ervant how she was surprized by her Mistress beaten after a most grievous manner and how she purposed a reuenge should it cost her her life in short she omitted nothing that was past saying moreover that it was not the life of her Mrs. she desired but to have her as loâ—dly basted as she had been basted by her â—he Gentleman heaâ—ing this being all â—age and fury he â—an aâ— her and having râ—pâ— open her breast with that Dâ—ggâ—r he kill'd Henry with be toâ—e out her hâ—â—â— and stampt upon it pouring out all the curâ—es reprâ—aches and execrations he could think of over her wretched carcals cursing himself too for believing the treachery of her miscreant and now â—â—viâ—g sufficientâ— deplored and wept over the corps of his chaste wife and faithful servant Henry he askt of one and the other a thousand pardons saying since it is inpossible to remedy so great a crime as I have here committed so great in killing you both so wrongfully that it must not pass unpunisht and therefore I will appease it I can by sacrifising my self to your offended innocency begging that you will not deny me your Company in death since there was so much love and amity between us in life till treachery made this final seperation There is one thing left which affâ—ds me some comefort and contentment that before I dye I have had my just revenge although a thousand deâ—ths of such like Traytors is no fit reparation for the life I have deprived having said this he put a halter about his neck and having tyed it to a beam strait over the body of his câ—â—ste wife he wrote against the wall with his daggeâ— these verses under written which yet to this day are to be seen in the house of that miserable Gentleman By a rash act which had its rise from treason Incens'd by a maid servant without reason I wrongfully have stain my dearest wife And a male servant have depriv'd of life At length I knew the truth but 't was too late To stay the hand of my too rigid fate And then I stab'd the heart that was the cause In making me offend great Natures lâ—ws For which I hang my sâ—lf against this wall Cleanders boundless rashnâ—sâ— was his fall Having finisht this writeing he threw the dagger under him and pushing the stool on which he stood to tye the rope about the beam with which he intended to hang himself he there hung miserably ending his dayes for being over câ—edulous and puâ—ting too much confidence in his own eyes And now to return to the matter of fact which is the question I conclude Sir that you ought to take great heed in this matter and weigh it with serious consideration without levity believeing in the words of her who desires the death of Erastus without any reason thereunto inducing Consider then within your self that this affair may be otherwise that as it was represented to your eyes For there is no greater argument nor more proper instance for entring into jealousie then this Gentleman of Padua of whom we spake before who without questioning the matter took it for certain but knew in the conclusion but too late and to his utter ruin that a matter of such great importance should not rely on the believing of an other nay nor himself This oration of the Philosopher put all the Auditors into admiration for he spake so much to the purpose and with such vivacity that all the standers by could not refrain from bathing their cheeks in a Sâ—a of teares which wrought so effâ—ctually that every one Judged nothing waâ— more requisitâ— then staying the execution of the sentence oâ— Erastus untill the fact was more narrowly searcht into that in the end he might receive a righteous Judgment Whereupon the Emperour was constrained to condescend as well for that excelâ—â—t diâ—course the Philosopher hâ—â— delivered as for the supplications the Senate â—stâ—r'd up to his Majesty according to this conclusion Erastus was sent brâ—â— to his Dungeon and so had his life prolonged by the meaâ—s of hiâ— good Master Enoscopus This History or Example of Cleander is according to the originall in the Italian and French but in regard there is another History in another Book to this purpose I shall thus relate it THere dwelt in a certain City a Kinghâ— well striken in years who notwithstanding married a wife whose youth and beauty boâ—h conjoyned to make her the subject of every mans admiration these two things so endeared his affections towards her that their was noâ—hing to her by him more pâ—izable in the whole universe now least at any time he might be robb'd of this inesteemable Jewell after with his own hands he had lockt hiâ— doors he secured the keys under his beds-head By the way you are to understand that by the Lowâ— of the City at a certain hour of the night a Bell was usually rung after the sound of which if either man or woman was found gadding in the streets they were instantly seiz'd and having been detain'd in prison 〈◊〉 might the next morning they stood in the Pillory aâ— an object of shame and laughter to all the beholders This antient Knight by reason of his age was impotent feeble and altogether unable to give that satisfaction as youth required as well for procreation as delight and therefore his young wife found out away to supply his defects by taking the keys every night from under his head when fast asleep opening the doors went to her paramour who having lustfully enjoyed her sill returned and lay'd the keys in the same place from whence she took then It so happened but not expected that one night fafter she was gone to prosecute her accustomed delights that her husband awaked and m ssing his wife felt for the keys but finding them not he went down to the door which he found open therefore he bolted it and returned to his Chamber and suspecting his wifes levity he lookt out of the window to observe the passages which might happen in the street When it was very late or rather early his wife came from her lustfull â—allion but found the door bolted against her however she took the boldness to knock Hereupon the good old Knight looking out of the window and seeing it was his disloyal wife spake to her in this manner O thou wicked unchast woman have I now found you out how often may I not from hence conclude thou hast committed adultry defiled thy marriage bed for
the whole Nobility for they had all great fancy to hear him speak expecting what he should say would be so much to the purpose that every word would be a sentence the Emperour then being moved with anger and incredible sorrow with a troubled and angry countetenance demanded of the seven wise Philosophers if this was the wisdom and great perfection which they had caused him to believe his Son was endowed with saying that he was compleat in all things and what doctrine they had taught him not to answer his Father being an Emperour what Philosophy is this quoth the good Emperour in what Aristotle or Plato have you found the doctrine for instead of being wise and well instructed as you informed me every one sees that he is ignorant a Sot and without understanding but I assure you by the words of a Prince that ye shall be punished according to your deserts The Philosophers seeming to be as much surpriz'd as the rest to see Erastus thus mute said to the Emperour know Sir that we have not informed you Majesty any thing touching your Son that is not true so that here is not any Philosopher modern nor antient to whom he may not be compared Being as well or better taught than any man whatsoever of this age to tell you wherefore he is at this present mute we know not but we can well assure your Majestie that it is not done without great cause which nevertheless is unknown to us for being Master of so much knowledge he well enough knows when he ought to speake and whâ—n â—o hâ—ld his peace But let the Philosophers sâ—y wâ—â—â—â—hâ—y would the Emperour could not be appeâ—sâ—â— but being transpâ—râ—ed with anger hâ— repâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 Erastus câ—uld have no reason to be 〈◊〉 in his pâ—eteâ—ce And thus being both angry 〈…〉 Sâ—n in this condition he left him 〈…〉 â—ed wiâ—h the Nobility that accompanied 〈◊〉 Thâ— Eâ—â—â— ss hearing the noise of horses went 〈◊〉 meet the Emperour being attended by all her â—â—â—yeâ—â—nd the Roman Princesses and having underâ—oâ—â—â— from him the small satisfaction he had took in seeing his Son and she beholding Prince Erastus To whom she was eâ—slaved without having seen him considering with her eyes that his beauty was beyond compare greater â—hen report had given of him she became wholy enâ—moured of him therefore with a merry cheerfull countenance she went to him and having very amorously embraced him she began to reason with him of many matters but the young Prince made her no answer whereupon the Empress was astonished yet however the fire that consumed her did not at all diminish but on the the contrary encreased in such manner that not being able to resist the violence of love which coâ—strained her she tooke occasion upon the Princis silence to encrease the flame of her disordâ—nate appetite and thereupon went towards the Emperour to whom she declared that every one very well knew that the silence of his Son was not because he was naturally mute as might appâ—are by what the Gentleman related who came frâ—m Erasâ—us â—uâ— the day before who affirmed that he had heard him dispute so ingeniously with his Masters tâ—at he rather judged him to be Master than the Scholler and therefore they might conclude that this silence was caused by some accident which she would undertake to discover and remedy having the young Erastus in her power in a place where they might be alone The Emperour believing what the Empress said was out of a good will to his Son not in the least suspecting her loyalty and being very desirous to discover the cause of his Sons silence and to give a remedy thereto He presently câ—maâ—ded that Prince Erastus should be led to the Chamber of the Empress and that they should be left alone the Empress seeing all thâ—ngs to fall out according to her expectations was very joyfull And promised the Emperour that she would use such meanes that his Son should speake â—n the other side the young Prince foreseeing the great attempts that should be made upon him was fearfull left he should be enforced to breake his resolution Nevertheless being resolved to vanquish the malignity of the stars by a strong and firm constancy he went cheerfully to the Empresses Chamber where in short time we may see by experience that hatred prevails more than love in the hearts of Ladyes CHAP. VII The Empress Aphrodicia being shut up alone with Prince Erastus endeavoured all she could to induce him to her appetite but seeing her self refused and disdained she made an outcry that he would hâ—ve foâ—ced her by which meanes the Prince was mâ—de Prisoner and condemned to Death THis cruell Tygress seeing her prey taken in the toylâ—◠〈◊〉 thouâ—â— losiâ—g one moment of time 〈◊〉 to her Chamber where being come she lookâ—d her self 〈◊〉 and having taken the young Prince by the hand she caused him to sit down by her and câ—lliâ—g her arme about his neck she embraced and kâ—ssâ—d him in a different fashion then what a mother uâ—es to her Son in fine after many kisses and embraces she asked the cause of his silence which held the Emperour and all the Roman people in so great trouble who in honour of him had caused his entry to be so magnificent She told him that every body had cause to thinke it strange that having lived a long time without seeing the Countrey his Father nor friends being came thither he did so apparently slâ—ghâ— them being a thing unhandsome in any person of understanding and much more in him who had bin accounted so discreet In this time the young Prince fixed his eyes on the ground without one word of answer knowing that to be his critical minute of holding his peace Whereupon the Empress being astonished she agen threw her self about his neck giving him an infin te of kisses but the more amorously she behaved her self the less regard he took of her The Empress seeing this spake to him in these terms What disdain is this or what other accident can have happened to you to cause you to be mute why do you not speak to me what do you fear remove all fear and tell me the cause of this silence and let me alone for I will carry it so both to the Emperour and all the world that every one shall be satisfied without imputing anything to you and if you have resolved to be silent to all others wherefore do you deny to speak to me to me who am so ravished with your love that I can enjoy no rest but when I think on you and now I see you and have meanes to speak to you I should be to happy if this unlucky silence did not at this time hinder me If you are beautyfull be not therefore cruell and if you are wise as report gâ—ves out of you wherefore do you grieve your father all the world if you have any discretion know who loves you if you are young I for
introduce a custom so inhumane and cruel as this If the authority of the Senate doth not at all move you or if you doubt that Prince Erastus shall escape while you proceed orderly are not your Prisons strong enough and well guarded with Soldiers is there any â—enatoâ—s Prince or Barron to whom you have been pleased 〈◊〉 spâ—â—k of this affair who hath not endeavored to divert you from tâ— is hasly execution and none hastens you therein but the venemous rage of a woman by whose counsel a Roman Emperono can get nothing but blame let the Counsel be never so good and therefore what infancy will you procure to your self to use contrary to all reason so great cruelty at the only perswasions of a woman Know Sir that women are made to serve men and not to counsel them and he who is ablutely governed by their counsel shall in the end to bis damage repent thereof for although a woman is desireous to give good counsel yet the imbecillity of the sex causes their counsel alwayes to happen to the worst as not long since it happened to a Physitian which story be pleased to read It is not long since that at Millain there was a Physitian named Polictetus in very great esteem of all as well by reason of his wealth as for the opinion which every one had of his knowledge so that he was esteemed the principal and most famous Physitian of Millain and indeed he deserved this title having performed many almost incredible Cures This Physitian had for wife a Damsel of Millain named Flaminia who was one of the principal families of that City by whom he had one only Son and no other Children But although nature had been niggardly in giving him but one yet in recompence she was very liberal having formed this Child so fair and of so gentle a spirit that it was pleasant to behold him for being but seaven years of age he gave hopes not onely to his Father and Mother but also to all that behâ—ld him that in time he would be a great personage and of reputation for which cruse his Father lâ—ved him more then his own life and caused him to beinstructed and exercised in all exercises as well of the body as the mind proper and convenient for that age finding him very well disposed to Sciences well formed in his body strong in his members as having never been sick It happened when he was nine years old he fell into a distemper which in the beginning seemed to be small which his father seeing would take the advice of other Physitians although he himself was esteemed the first for feâ—r his affection in his own case should deceive him Having therefore brought two of the most experienced Physitians of Millain to his house he recomended his Son to them however he himself took notice of what they ordered This disease of the Child which at the first was small and slight did daily increase so that instead of diminishing by means of the remedies which were given yet he every day grew worse and worse and thus it continued for a moneths time all which time the Physitians did all that was possible according to Art for the health of the Child without perceiving any amendment but or the contrary he was the worse for every thing they give him The poor father was almost desperate and so were the Physitians who now resolved to gâ—ve him no more Medecines but only to comfort and fortify nature by restoratives that he might live as long as he could being out of hopes of restoring him to his former health the Child finding himself as sick as his heart could hold desired them to give him a white Onion to eat to this the Physitians would not consent in regard an Onion is contrary to a feavour and yet all the while the disease encreased so much the more did the Child cry out for an Onion saying if they would not give him a white Onion he should dye The Physitians seeing there was no other remedy for him agreed that he should have an Onion more to content him then any thing else saying that that could not do him much prejudice considering the violence of his distemper and having sent for a white Onion to give him the Childs Mother another came into the the Chamber who seeing them about to give him an Onion fell into the greatest passion in the world saying that this was to kill her Child and that she could not endure it to be a Murdress of her own blood and she made such a noise to her husband and the other Phisicians that the Onion was not given to the Child whereupon the Child took it so to heart that he did not languish long before he dyed still even to death crying out after his Onion The Father and Mother were as much grieved aâ— can be imagined having no other Child but his wherein was all their comfort and being out of hopes of having any more afâ—er the death of the Child the Phsitians were desirous to opâ—n the body at this the Father was was well contented being desirous to know the cause of that distemper which no Phisick had pâ—wer to cure he being then opened there was found on the bâ—â—tom of his stomach neer to his heart a peice 〈◊〉 Ice hard as Christal at which they were all astonished to see water thus congealed in a humain body and they all agreed that there was no câ—â—â—â—g of him but by things proper to desolve the 〈◊〉 â—ol and that the Child dyed for want of such Remedies the poor Father who alwayes had his Son before his eyes in respect of the great love he had for him that he might have some mark and token caused this Christal to be enchased in the haft of a knife which he usually carryed about him upon all occasions and when he drew it he alwayes kissed the Christal in memory of his Son and thus it passed for a whole year but on that very day twelve moneth that his son dyed whether by chance or that Nature was willing to shew the greatness of its secrets this Phisitian being at the Table had a mind to eat a white Onion one being brought him hercut it in to peices with his knife and having tasted a slice or too he asked for drink and let his knife fall on part of the Onion that was on the Table but he had no sooner drank wheâ— going to take his knife he found it without a haft for the Christal that waâ— fixed thereon was dissolved and diligently searching the cause he knew that the vertue of the Onion had desolved the Christal into water wherefore being a wise man he conjectured that his Son by a secret instinct of Nature was so importunate before he dyed to have a white Onion as being the sole remedy and only expedient for his disease so that understanding that he had caused the death of his only Son by denying him an Onion only at
advertisements which by her b uâ—ty she had given him yet nevertheless he acted quite contrary not omitting to do any thing that his wicked inclinations led him to and alâ—hough he endeavoured to act his lew'd tricks at privately as he could that his Mother in law might not discover him yet now it was not so as it had formerly been with his Father for he was acquainted with all his actions because the Subjects went more freely to make their complaints to Eufrosena than to Archelaus seeing the ready and quick dispatches which she gave to all affairs and now they did not fear that she should be transported with natural affection at the discovery of the disâ—rdinate life of Philemon as it may be Archelaus himself would have been who being neer of Kin to Philemon had taken so great a love for him that he had adopted him when a young child and had alwayes bred and entertained him as his own Son The wise Eufrosena seeing the advertisements which she had given to Philemon had not at all pâ—â—fited him she began to be more free with him threatning that in case he did not change his manners to acquaint her husband therewith that he might take course with him yet withal mildly telling him the great blame he would have when his lewd life should be discovered Whereupon Philemon promised that for the future he would so behave himself that she should hear no Complaints of him anâ—â—â—tâ—e was every day worse and worse so that the veâ—â—uous Eafrosena was constrained to acquaint her huâ—bâ—â—â— thâ—â—ewith earnestly entreating him to advise hiâ— Sâ—n to leave those wicked courses and to bring him back to his former vâ—rtuouâ— manner of living Archelaus hearing this newâ— of his Son thought 〈◊〉 very â—â—range to hear of â—uch dishonest â—ctâ—â—â—s so câ—ntrary to the good opinion which he had of his Câ—ntinâ—â—câ— and vertue wherefore â—e câ—id him â—veâ—ely and threatned him highly stâ—â—â—â—ly câ—mmâ—nding him from thence forwards not tâ— câ—mmit any exâ—â—â—s or violence Intimating to hâ—â— that for the first â—ault he should be guilty of he woâ—ld so Chastise him that his former câ—lmes and thâ—se which he should commit should not escape unpunished and that he should â—erve as an example to others who seeing that he had not spared his adopted Son should forbear offending for fear of punishment Young Philemon counterfeiting a Repentance and that he was very sorrowful that he had committed crimes to the displeasure of his Father begged his pardon promising to live so strictly from thence forwardâ— that he should never hear any just complaint against him Yet it was not long after this that he had a mind to a fair young Damsel daughter to a Gentleman of the most considerable quality of his fathers Subjects and not knowing how by fair means to get possâ—ssion of her â—e one day made a forceible entry into the house of this Gentlemâ—n and carryed away the Damsel This rude action coming to the knowledge of Archelaus he Commanded that Philemon should be suddenly seizâ—d on and being strictly guarded should be carried Prisoner to a strong Castle giving express commands to the Captain of the Castle that upon pain of his high displeasure he should put Philemon in the stronge Prison of the Castle that he might at all times render a good account of him Philemon being thus put into Prison conceived mortal hatred against his Mother-in-law believing all the anger of Archelaus did proceed from her and by her Instigation and from thencefâ—rth purposed to imploy all his power and wicked Spirit to ruine the good and innocent Lady And that he might accomplish his design he endeavoured all that in him lay to get the friendship of the Captain of the Castle which he easily performed the Captâ—in being a good fellow one who desired to please all and particularly Philemon whom he one day hoped to see Lord of all the Lands of Archelaus And therefore he often visited Philemon eating and drinking with him endeavouring to divert him by Playing singing and other recreation so that his liberty only excepted he knew nothing that would please Philemon but he suffered him to enjoy it This Captain had one only Daughter competently fair and marâ—iagable which he lovâ—d above all things Philemon having seen her resolved to make use of this means to accomplish what he most desired He seeing his keeper to be so much his friend that he might without any danger discover any secret to him he one day took him apart and having made a long preamble of the many traverses which his Mother-in-law had practised to his prejudice and that without cause so that she had by these means brought him tâ— a Prison him who was by right the true and Lawful Lord of the Countrey there to cause him to Languish in a condition worse than death had it not been for his kinâ—ness to him for which he reckoned himself vâ—ry much obligâ—d so that he should never forget it and being willing to begin to acknowledge the gâ—eat â—â—iendship and service which he had received of him and gave him assurance of what he mâ—ght hereafter expect when by the death of his Father he should be Master of his 〈◊〉 he therefore purposed to take his only daugh â— to wife â—on this condition that the said Câ—ptain would Aid and assist him in what he purposed to do And then he began to discourse of the probable cooâ—â—â— he would take to be revenged on hâ— Innocenâ— â—ufrosena and told him particularly how the design should be mannaged The affection which the Captain had to see his daughter so highly preferred and the Ambition to be Father-in-law to his Lord and Prince and by consequence Governour of the Countrey caused him to open his eares so that although he knew this to be an unjust undertaking yet however he resolved to be an Actor and therefore they having plighted their trothes to each other the marriâ—ge of his daughter and Philemon was secretly câ—â—â—â—nated The Captain of the Castle resolving to keep promise choosed out seven Sâ—ldiers Reformadoes in whom he could confide and after he had câ—njured them and received an oath from them for their fidelity and secresie he discovered his and Philemons enterprise to facillitate which he shewed them the proper means giving them great presents and greater promises to serve as false witnesses to testifiâ— and affirm that which should be requited of them This being done he dispatched one of these Reformadoeâ— to Archelaus to entreat him to come to the Galile about a business of very great Consequence and wherein consisted the quiet of his estate which wâ—s of so great importance that he durst not write least the Letter should miscarry and muâ—h less could be trust a third person to acquaint him by wâ—rd of mâ—uth While the Soldier was on hiâ— way â—o delivâ—r his Message the Traytor Philemon purâ—â—sing to act his wickedness cunningly laid his foundâ—tion on a Letter which he found whâ—ch the Sâ—ge
he arose and soon after him the Empress to whom a minute of an hour seemed to be a year so desirous she was to be satisfied in the death of the innocent Erastus and the seven Philosophers who took part with him to maintain the just quarrel of their Disciple and she was no sooner up but she sent in great haste for those who had Commission to execute the sentence of the Emperor against Erastus and the Philosophers CHAP. XXIII Prince Erastus declares in full Senate the necessity which had constrained him to be silent untill then and by an example of Hermogenes afterwards named Entichus whose Father had caused him to be cast into the Sea that he might not see him to be greater than himself Yeâ— however the same Entichus at length obtained the Crown of the Kingdom of Candia although he was but the Son of an ordinary Merchant according to the fatal destinies who had foretold that he should Arive at this dignity shewing that there is no prudence nor humane counsell that can hinder that which once hath been determined in Heaven and by the Caelestiall Influence And having declared the truth of the fact as it had passed between him and the Empress he and the Philosophers are acquitted and the Empress is cast into Prison The Jaylor having heard the Message of Prince Erastus went with all dilligence to the Emperours Lodgings yet he doubted that he should be derided for delivering a Message from one that was Damb but however he delivered what he had in charge to the Emperour who understanding this new Embassy remained very much perplexed and astonished by means of what had newly happened And although he believed that his Son had given that in charge to the Jaylor which he had delivered yet he thought it very strange that he now speaking he should all that time keep silent even in those great dangers wherein he had been and was still envolved So that he sometimes resolved not to make any reckoning of him considering the small esteem Erastus had for him not vouchsafeing to speak and justifie himself when he had been charged with so great a crime for which cause he believed he had just occasion to be angry with his Son who had so little respected him as not to pay him one civil salutation as in duty he was bound to and for that he had not answered one single question there having been so many propounded to him whe efore he had concluded that this his silence was sufficient proof of his guiltiness in so abominable a case as he had been charged withall And then again natural affection and instinct which induces Tygers to bear affection to their young ones although they disdaine hate all others induced and inclined the Emperour to give him audience And thereupon he gave command to the Jaylor that Erastus and the seven Philosophers should be brought bound before the Senate being however resolved that so soon as he had finished his discourse which in his opinion could be nothing but to aske mercy and pardon he should be publickly executed and with him the seven Philosophers according to the Sentence formerly given and the evening before confirmed the news was already spread throughout all Rome how that the Empress had the evening before obtained of the Emperour that without any process or delay the young Prince Erastus and his seven Masters should the next morning be publickly executed so that before day break the place of execution was full of Spectators to see the end and issue of this spectacle every one believing it impossible that so vertuous persons as the Philosophers should be miserably and publickly executed with the only Son and heir of a Roman Emperour and that their wisdome and vertue which was known to all could not save them not that none would engage in their rescue The people being thus gathered together some of them perceived the Jaylor when he went to the Emperour and therefore followed him being inquisitive after news but were hindred by the Guard from entring the Pallace only some Noble men and persons of quality were admitted and were present when the Emperour commanded the Jaylor to bring forth the Prince these relating this news abroad to others it was matter of novelty to all as being of so great importance that it could not be hid in obscurity so that at length it became so publick that not only all in the Pallace was acquainted therewith but also the whole City of Rome and principally the Senators who had upon this occasion been already sent for so that throughout the whole City there was a world of people of all sorts and qualities men and women great small who being every where met together made it their whole business all expecting the issue conclusion of the speech that Erastus would make before the Senate where every one strived to get a place that they might hear what would be said Only the Empress hearing of this news began to suspect her affair as well in respect of certain remorse of conscience which pressed her as for the novelty of the case so that being retired into her Chamber she ruminated in her thoughts the event of this discourse and she already repented of the rashness of her pursuit and then on a sudden she would take courage by a certain presumption that had possessed her and further enflamed her with malice and angâ—â— setting good spies upon the place to know when Erastus should be brought before the Emperour and to give her an account of all passages that should happen All the world being in this expectation the young Prince Erastus arived who went before his Masters all thâ—ir hands being fettered and as strictly guarded as if they had been going to execution as the Emperour had commanded which â—pectacle moved â—ll to compassion But on the contrary the young Prince marched with so much magnaminity and confideâ—ce that he appeared as if he had made a Triumphant entry rather then to go to execution And there did he see his Father sitting in the Senate purposing not to be overcome by fatherly love although his Son should beg pardon or favour but to leave him to the Justice of the Law Erastus being come to a convenient place with a voice high enough to be heard of all began as followeth I deny not my Lord and Father that the Creatures of this world every one in its kind do sometimes produce eff cts degenerating from their essence so that there is nothâ—ng here below that arives to an absolute perfection but when this miâ—fortâ—nâ— happens to man to see wicked Children issue from good Parents who however have taken pains to have them well bred up and instructed such as these may be reckoned not to be men but brute Beasts And therefore so much the more should I confess my self to be such if I should commit or think of committing so great a crime as that wherewith I am charged and should
them and feared of his enemies Thus affairs growing every day better and better it happened that in the Citty of Alexandria which was his naturall Country the great warrs unfruitful seasons and other bad influences had caused such a Scarcity of Victuals that the g eateâ—t part of the inhabitants dyed with famine so that the inhabitants of Alexandria were necessitated to travel into several Countries to get Corn for the poor and therefore they made choice of the most expert and the most knowing men that they could find amongst them who willingly accepted of the Imployment because they were well provided with every thing that from other parts they might relieve their Citizens passing their time at the charge of others Among the rest they made Choice of Europus the naturall Father of Entichus and who had thrown him into the Sea who having taken Povt in the Isle of Candy where the Stars had so long before prepared a Crown for him he desired leave to buy up in that Island a great quantity of Corn King Entichus being acquainted herewith caused enquitey to be made who they were that were in the Ship and from whence they came and being informed of the truth and knowing the necessity of his Country and the name of the Commander and of the Ship he did suspect that it was his Father and therefore he purposed before he departed to make himself known to him and to put him in mind of the great fault which he had committed Whereupon having sent for him to come to his Pallace pretending to discourse with him about other affairs he caused him to stay and Dine with him which invitation he knowing not how to refuse accepeted of wâ—th such honour and reverence as hath been accustomed to be used by those who speak with Kings Princes and other great Lords Being at the Table after that the King had sufficiently informed himself of the estate of the City of Alexandria in generall he questioned with his Father of his particular affairs of his name and how many Children he had Whereupon the Merchant having told his name answered sighing that he had no Children and that he never had but one who perished in the Sea by a miserable misfortune It may be said the King your Son is not dead for there is one here present who hath escaped from such a like misfortune as you speak of and as he saith he is the Son of a Merchant of the City of Alexandria and thereforâ— advised him to look about him upon all the Company there present for it may happen that he may know his Son before his Son did know him The Merchant observing what the King had said began to take notice of all those that were in the Hall and on the other side every one looked upon him believing that they should understand somewhat that was as yet unknown and after he had well looked upon and taken notice of every one he said to the K ng that he could not find that his Son was there present whereupon the King said if you had well considered the Spectacle which you had of the two white Birds and the interpretation that was made to you you would of your self have known that which I shall now tell you for it was I my felf whose way to greatness you would hinder instead of advanceing it as you ought The good man hearing him speak of two white Birds suddenly changed his Collour being confounded within himself with shame But when he heard this spoken to his face and in the presence of so many great Lords the occasion that had moved him to such an excess he gâ—ew pale and red both at once and knowing no other way to make amends for his faults he arose from the Table and cast himself at his Sons feet asking him pâ—rdon But the King who was no less generous then great and puissant took hold of him and raised him praying him that forgetting what was passed he would make use of that power which God had given him and that he would rest contented that he had made him know by effects that it is impossible to interrupt or hinder that which the pleasure of God hath once ordained and so having sent by others a sufficient quantity of Corn for his Country he caused his Father to remain with him taking order to bring the rest of his family to Candy to participate of that good fortune which had befallen him contrary to all humane thoughts and which he had well and wisely persued By this Example said Erastus and many others as admirable as this which I could relate we may assuredly conclude that whatsoever hath been once ordained and established above doth usually come to pass so that nothing here below can obstruct or hinder it being assured of this I and my Masters did expose our selves to very great hazard and danger in our coming to Rome and the only remedy that we had was for me to be silent for the space of seven days in doing whereof the heavens promised me a good issue and deliverance provided that some would defend my cause for that Term the which my seven Masters like prudent and valliant Champions have done I therefore resolved to follow the right remedy which had been prescribed me for the conservation of my life and honour the which otherwise I should have dishonourably lost as the heavens had let me know soon after my arrivall at Rome the shame whereof would have been much more grievious to me than the death wherewith I was threatned Behold then what hath induced me and indeed enforced me to be Dumb these seven days which I suppose hath been as much to your astonishment as my trouble to see my self constrained by a fatall silence to confirme the opinion that every one might have that I would commit an action so wicked and wretched as that which hath been falsly charged on me by the Empress who being a woman and naturally enclined to be fickle and angry and having been lately in love with me it is no wonder if she hath converted that love which she first shewed me into a mortal hatred endeavouring to make me dye who am her Son in Law as it hath frequently befallen others who without any reason have prosecuted their Sons in law either through hatred or anger As for hatred we may finde examples enough in antient Histories as that which Jur conceived against Phrisso and Helle and of the Modern Histories there are enough and of hatred we may read how the cruel Phedra treated the innocent Hipolitus whose companion I had certainly bin both in cause and miserable death if the evident danger wherein I was had not been manifested to me by Heaven and the means to escape it the which I have hitherto done by the good assistance of my Masters here present to whom I am indebted not only for the good instructions I have received of them but also for my life as for the crime