of joy or sorrow Mending their Pace they descried a Pallace which being shone on by the second Luminary of heaven to their eies appeared majesticall They heard plainly Lamentations whereupon perswading themselves some violence was acted they desired to be admitted in They were scarce up staires but entred into a Roome where they saw five so neare dying that with good reason they might be termed Carkasses Oleandro and Arnalta were soone known by them After they had suffered those teares to fall which so miserable an Accident deserved they enquired of the Damsels what was the occasion of so much evill Understanding it to be poyson Celardo remembring he had about him the Medal against poyson which Arnalta in her haste at parting had sorgotten took it and laying it upon the breast of Oleandro he speedily recovered his senses He neverthelesse immediately continued his Lamentations against Fortune which preserved him in life that he might be eternally miserable Oppressed with sorrow he had not so much understanding as to know Celardo He believed Nature had made resistance against the poyson and esteemed it an addition to his wretchednesse that he could not dye But this affliction was soone passed over for the Medal which was a stone called by the Arabians Bezoardica made the same effect upon all the rest freeing them out of the hands of death The joyes and embracings cannot be exprest Tired with so many doubled and centuplicated signes of consolation and affection they gave thankes to Celardo and Ossirdo acknowledging themselves obliged to them for their lives Here renewing their thankes they knew one another Only Arelida accusing the starres and the Gods as Authors of her infelicitie provoked a pity with her moanes even in those that ought to have hated her She said Is it possible O Fortune that thou hast drest thy head and rent thy sailes not to transport elsewhere the wofull effects of thy malignitie Is it possible that I should find also the Destinies inexorable against my death Is it possible that death who satiates not his desires with Mountaines of Carkasses declares himselfe nauseous to my life I am so miserable that even Hell refuses me Unhappy Arelida for an adjunct to whose miseries the World Heavens and the Gods have changed Nature Love hath rendred thee odious Iron cannot kill thee Theeves flye from thee the Sea vomits thee up Poyson works not to effect thy revenge nor to withdraw thee from the scornes of thy enemies O Knights what wicked Acts have you pitifully exercised against me If with divine remedies you can animate the dead you should not therefore disquiet those that only in death suppose their security I have not an heart that can live oppressed with so many infelicities But presently you shall see the effects of your pity Oleandro Ariama why delay you to run me through Why delay you to revenge your selves Behold the hated behold the abandoned Arelida who lived till now only to see you die The hate which my unhappinesse necessitates me to beare you is that which hitherto hath kept me alive I have not lived to live I have lived to hate you To what end then stay you Kill me kill me Behold my breast behold my heart which for their dotages merit justice from your hands and with reason crueltie from your swords Since my follies deserve not the honourable punishment of your disdaine afford me your swords which very well know how to deliver me from the Tyrannie of Destinie It doth not agree with your Fortune to permit me to live who cannot but hate you Here she was silent I beleeve to give leisure to her eies that they also might present the sadnesse of her soule Oleandro with that gentleness which is proper to a native Prince with his teares compassionated the miseries of such a Princesse Not enduring that with so desperate conceits she should speake of her selfe he said to her Princesse Arelida it is time to calme your mind accommodating it to the will of heaven which many times instructs us by an appearance of evill The remembrance of past things shall be buried in oblivion whilest Ariama and I will have no other memory but of an Obligation to serve you It is not convenient that revenge should reigne in that breast where the Graces inhabit If Fortune hath been willing to contrary you shew that your constancy can triumph over the malignity of Fortune and that out of Iron and fire you have recovered health The Kingdome of Numidia deplores your absence The declining age of your Father beseeches you not to abandon him desirous to felicitate the horrours of death with your presence But if these reasons are not prevalent to dry away your teares if revenge overcomes your reason if your sadnesses cannot admit of comfort but by the determination of my life if lastly the hatred you beare me will give no leisure to the remembrance of the love which you have borne me behold my sword behold my head satiate your selfe kill me cut me to peeces I had rather die than live hated by you It is against my dutie that I should permit that a Princesse should hate me without being able to vent it So saying he gave her his sword and kneeling laid his head on her Lap. She fetching a deep sigh and throwing away the sword raised him up saying to him Oleandro with how many sorts of weapons do you know to overcome your enemies I acknowledge my selfe vanquished and from henceforth will change the Altar of Revenge into that of Oblivion I will meditate occasions to serve you as I have formerly studied waies to destroy you I receive Ariama for my sister and beseech both of you to pardon the follies of an enamoured soule which untill now had not any knowledge by reason I commend my Kingdome to you two being unwilling to forsake this house which hath proved the cause that I can compose my mind to live in quiet I have no ambition for a Kingdome which finally will do nothing but disturbe me and impoverish me There is no happier reigning than over ones own affections These hence forward shall with all my power be kept under to prevent me from encountring errours which till now have prepared precipices for me So saying she embraced Ariama with such an Affection that it gave not no not a signe to have received at any time any imaginable displeasure Turning afterwards to Celardo and the others she said to them Pardon me Sirs that till now opprest with my passions I have neglected that entertainment which is due to all but in particular to those who have conferred benefits I will endeavour to supply it with so much the more affection Then she made some meats to be got ready the Sun being advanced far in his course Foure daies this most noble Company continued with the Princesse Arelida without being able to perswade her to returne to her Kingdome of Numidia Towards which Oleandro Ariama Arnalta and the Count
to oblige them before she knew them and followed the Damsels unto the gates of the Court. In their Entrance at the first sight they were terrified In the midst of it was placed a Statue of Revenge Yet was it not believed a Statue but by those that could offend it without being offended It was figured in the likenesse of an armed Woman with a flame of fire upon her Helmet In her right hand she held a Dagger and at her feet a Lion It spoke not with-held peradventure by Scorne that kept her words in or rather bindred by biting a finger of her left hand On the sides of the Hall all the most infelicious Loves of the world were delineated There was seen Pyramus and Thisbe pierced with the same sword breathe out their souls and the feigned bloud which they shed had the vertue to beget true teares Leander and Hero the one destroyed by the waters of the Sea and the other by those of her eyes in such wise deceived Oleandro and his Companions as if only then by chance they had been destinated to death There was also Medea through Jasons inconstancie growne so cruell to kill her Children having first enforced by love slain her brother The poore Ariadne complained on a Rock tearing her haire and beating her breast Her Lamentations arrived not to the eares of the beholders carried farre away by the windes or dispersed by the Waves or rather by long exclaiming become hoarse she had not the strength left to make her selfe heard In briefe a thousand were the Objects which entertained in suspence the strangers when entreated by the Damsels they ascended the stairs At the top of which they were met by a Lady who for being all attired in black could not be imagined any thing but night with a blacke veile she held her eyes covered for being desirous to be thought night she would not permit those two Suns to be seene which she carried in her eyes After she had received and answered their salutation she said I am sorry O Sirs you are come to funerallize your selves in the miseries of this House The Necessity that constraines you to stay here pleads it selfe my Excuse I wish only I knew your first Fortunes that I might serve you conformably to the Merit of your presence Here taking Ariama and Arnalta by the hand she led them into other Chambers requesting from them the Information of the State of those Knights of their condition and of their births Although the Infanta Ariama concealed her self she was well knowne by the Lady of the House who leaving her to rest her selfe went from her to command preparations for Supper The time being come they were call'd to it The entertainment was handsome but not stately The strangers eate little or wearie of travailing or sadded by the continuall lamentation of that Ladie who seasoned the meats with her tears When Supper was ended at a signe she gave the Damsels brought forth some glasse Bottles with a certaine Drinke in them which she said would enlighten the heart All of them tasted of them Oleandro in particular dranke more of it then the others adding That those sadnesses had much need of Preservatives Afterwards turning to the Lady of the house he said Madam the Gods have made contraries to be to all things There are Antidotes and the poysons Bees have stings and honey whereupon there is not any thing in the world but by the reason of Contraries hath a Remedy Such I hope your Evill may be If the Affection of an heart and the strength of a sword can prevaile with you to lay aside this sorrow be merry for I offer my selfe to serve you That Countenance which is a Heaven of Beauty deserveth not a perpetuall night Teares should not be permitted to those eyes which can make happy with their looks Here Oleandro was silet and the Lady thus answered Knight I would to Heaven I had never spoke From the tongue and heart my infelicities have had Originall But now there is no longer need to conceale them Infanta Ariama and you Prince Oleandro you are dead having drunk poison in the last Bottle I grieve I was not able to sacrifice you with a swod to Revenge I rejoyce notwithstanding that Fortune hath deliver'd you together into my hands I can no longer suppose my selfe unhappy since I have had this part of felicity to see I am revenged before I dye You shall not depart triumphant from the miseries of the Princesse Arelida I am the very same who lived till now onely to kill you Oleandro although he began to feele the effects of the drink provoked by the out-ragies which are begot in a breast offended more for the harmes of others then his owne Danger said to her Guilty woman Then because I would not condiscend to the dishonest of your Desires hast thou condemned me to death Then wilt thou take away my life because I have preserved thy Reputation and Honour From so maligne a minde could not proceed but execrable Effects Who is impudent is cruell and who betraies their honesty to please their sense will much lesse pardon the innocencie of those that will not be blemished with uncleanenesses Did it not satisfie thee perfidious one to have with thy deceits contrived Miseries against my happinesse that also thou hast intended to heap thy Barbarismes on this body a miserable Remaines of the Inconstancies of Fortune Perfidious wicked Sacrilegious what Reward what Hope what Madnesse makes thee covetous of my bloud the more undeserving the Furies of thy wickednesse by reason it hath no faults which can convince it of realty But if this life ought to be sacrificed to the satisfactions of thy Scorne why do you not pardon those who in the very Fantasmes of night have not thought to offend you In what hath your Sister trespassed and mine with this poore Knight who is design'd to die onely because he is my Companion Poore Oleandro so surrounded with unhappinesses that even the guiltless suffer with me My Miseries are contagious since they trench on those that keep mee company The Gods be praised that hereafter my life cannot infelicitate any People of Morocco here your hopes determine your Prince is compelled to dye and so much the more discontented by reason he falls by the hand of a woman and she immodest The Knight that untill now was unknowne at these words cryed out Oh Gods What allow you me to see in the last day of my life I should say I dyed happily dying in the presence of my Prince if he then might have continued living What Marvailes what Portents doth Destinie represent me 'T is true the sight of a Prince so much beloved deserved not to be gain'd without the losse of my life But wherefore fortune hast thou been willing to funerallize to me these sweetnesses I seeing him dye before I can sufficiently embrace him So saying he made himselfe knowne to Oleandro to be Felide the
DIANEA AN EXCELLENT NEW ROMANCE Written in ITALIAN BY GIO. FRANCISCO LOREDANO A Noble VENETIAN In FOURE BOOKS Translated into ENGLISH BY Sir ASTON COKAINE LONDON Printed for Humphrey Moselâ—y at the sign of the Prince's Arms in St Pauls Church-yard 1654 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LADY MARY COKAINE Vice-Countess CULLEN MADAM THis Princess of Cyprus in Gratitude for the Honour you did her whilst she was Dressing in her English Apparell For you were pleased to grace her History with the acceptation of my prime Intention and promise that her Loves and Misfortunes should visit our tumultuous World under the serene Auspice of your Protection now implores the Security of that Glory That whilst she makes her Progress through this Land she may triumph in such a Favour to an utter Stranger who hereafter in recompence for your pious Hospitality will report your Worths to the Italian Ladies and consecrate eternal Pyramids to your meritorions Memory when she returns into her own Kingdom I must also Madam give you Thanks for your too kind Approbation of my poor Endevour to doe her service But the Favor lies in your own unparalleld Goodness whose excellent Spirit is replete with as many of the sublimest vertues as your beautifull body is composed of Regall and noble Bloods deriv'd to you from illustrious Families of England and Ireland My best of Friends Colonell Edward Stamford gave me the Author and intreated me to teach him our Language The Dedication was therefore due to him but he is Owner of so much Courtship as without offence to give place to a Lady So beseeching you Madam to accept graciously this small testimony of my Thankfulness for your Civilities to this Cyprian Princess whom I have waited on into England and kissing your Hand for your Curtesie to me who present her to remain under the Palace of your Tuition I subscribe my self from my Hand and Heart MADAM Your humble Servant ASTON COKAINE The Authors Epistle To the most Illustrious and most excellent Signior my most honored Signior the Signior DOMINICO da MOLINO GIO. FRANCESCO LOREDANO I Have thought never to interest any in the Protection of my Writings Divers times when my Genius hath carried me to the Press I have always slighted Dedication either as rash or as superfluous Great Things are Defences to themselves nor should Jove be invited to be Patron to a Pigmie But the Merit of your Excellency that can excuse the Ambition of any Wit that is covetous his Labours should visit the Light under such an Ascendant of Felicity hath perswaded me to glorifie my Name by subscribing it to that of your Excellency whom I believe the World is too poor of Encomiums to celebrate sufficiently Behold therefore recommended to the favor of your Excellency the Princess DIANEA who ambitiously runs to humble her self to those Greatnesses which provoke Observances even from Princesses themselves I in the History of her have been desirous to try if the Opinion of Philoxenus that neither Flesh to Flesh nor Fish to Fish gave a precedency hath also the same effect in Fable to Fable May your Excellency please to receive in the poverty of the gift the desire of that Hand that would erect to you Statues of Mountains and make you Pictures of the Heavens Lastly I most humbly bow to you From VENICE the 25 of October 1635. The First Book of DIANEA THe Moon was not as yet worshipped in the East neither yet had the Empire of Asia received command from the Tyranny of one alone where in an Island of the Carpatian Sea a gallant Galley came to shore It was furnished with all those Ornaments that could render Majesty and Strength To escape the Anger of Heaven which with building Mountaines of waves threatned Precipices to those within it was retired into this Island where between two mighty Rocks that made a Creeke it promised it self all security The Rowers having cast Anchors made a ladder and suddenly there was seene to come forth of it a most beautifull Lady which tormented I know not whether more by the incommodities of the Sea or the passions of the heart could hardly be sustained by the arme of a Knight that accompanied her Her Majesty and Apparell shewed her of great birth The honour that was done to her by all made her known to be Lady of them all Teares and sighs did not prejudice that Beauty which being infinite could not be subject to the accidents of sorrow The Knight not to be disturbed by the confused noise of those in the Galley led her aside into a Thicket of Trees where it appeared that Nature had emulated and out-gone it selfe Here sending back those who followed him accompanying and interrupting his words with their complaints he thus began to entreat her How long Princesse shall the rigours of your disdaine continue How long will you keep that hate which renders you incapable of my affections That which I can pretend to by the right of War by the merit of justice by the obligement of correspondency I would find it in your gift and I beseech it as a grace Princesse disdaine not that heart which so much the more deserves affection because it seeks that by favour which is its own by justice If at other times you have refused me because I was your vassall you cannot now do so being become subject to me Accommodate the greatnesse of your mind to the encounters of a new Fortune for I pretend to no more but your Love you ought to comfort your selfe that among so many lost you have gained one to make you not only to preserve you a Queene I will not say I love you because with women that ordinarily cannot love or do not credit it an enamoured heart finds no recompence Past things may be desired not recovered Teares and afflictions never open Sepulchres or make the dead rise There is no griefe that can move pity in the Destinies You have to an excesse satisfied the Obligations you owed to nature you are now engaged to pay those of Interest and Reason Any patience but a Lovers such as I am would have been changed into fury I hope to disswade you from your obstinacy because I cannot perswade my selfe that you had rather fall into the precipices of my disdaine than exalt your selfe over the affection of my heart The Princesse full of the sence of passion and disdaine not able longer to endure these words that wounded her soule replied thus I would not answer you Duke the words of a Traitour deserving none But that you may perceive your hopes desperate in my resolutions I protest before all the Deities of Heaven that rather then be thine I would encounter death a thousand times Treacherous man hast thou polluted thy hands with the bloud of thy Prince do's yet those massacred unburied bodies proclame to heaven thy disloyalty and attempts thee to possesse me I complaine of nature that making me a woman hath denied me the use
departure finding her heart a narrow Vessell for an Excesse of an over-flowing Love exhaled her Passion in words sighes and teares Now she called Heaven to be witnesse of her Innocencie Now blamed Cupid that ingenerated in the hearts of Lovers suspitions so farre from Truth Now she accused Diaspe of injustice who had concluded her guilty without hearing her defences Now she complained of Fortune who between her perpetuall motions of inconstancy was a continuall affliction to her Now she reproved her selfe of her errours for so easily yielding to the Affections of that man which determine in the fruition of the Object But when she fixed upon the consideration of having promised her Father to entertaine the marriage with the Duke of Filena and to be deprived even of the hope of having Diaspe forgetting altogether the reservednesse becomming a Princesse it appeared by her that she would not or could not live any longer She beat the earth with her feet because she having been believed a Heaven of Beauty peradventure perswaded her selfe that the Vapours of her Passions could have no originall but from the Earth She struck her face with her hands as if she meant to punish the beauty there as Author of her Infelicity Shee knocked her Breast and it seemed she would chase thence that Image which against her will tyrannized in her heart Lastly she tore her haire making them guilty of Diaspe's far away absence because they had not the power to stay and entangle him The sense of her sorrow ceased not to torment her And these Rages which came as Natures under-Assistants for the consolation of her minde augmented the oppressions of it Finally overcome and cast downe by the Assault of of many passions she was constrained by a violent Fever to betake her selfe to her Bed whilst her griefes presaged nothing but her Death The Dutchess used all meanes to comfort her representing to her infinite expectations very well knowing that hope although remote is the true nourishment of Love and the onely Consolation of Lovers When shee perceived her tired with a Conquering sorrow and that it seemed that her eyes which were even drained with weeping desired Repose despight of griefe which wished to see her engaged to a perpetuall Lamentation she went from her to Floridea in the Cave To whom she recounted the ill-fortune of the Princess and the Resolution she had taken to disoblige her heart from Diaspe obeying her Father and marrying the Duke of Filena The Dutchess had understood from Dianea King Vassileo's Intention but knew nothing of the Love that had passed between Floridea and the Duke of Filena When Floridea heard the Duke named with a great alteration she beseeched who was that Duke of Filena who was accounted worthy of such a Princess The Dutchess answered her he was the most celebrated King at that time Fame reported and that enoblized the Glories of his bloud by the wonders of his Vertue by which hee had conquered envy it selfe That King Vassileo even when he was a great way hence had elected him for his sonne and that not many dayes since he arrived here to solemnize these Nuptialls which most sumptuously are a preparing Floridea had scarce heard the sense of these last words but being surprized with a trembling of the heart she beseeched the Dutchess to leave her untill she had passed over that fit which she conceived of little moment being accustomed formerly to have greater Being alone she gave liberty to her tongue that accompanying her eyes they might celebrate the Funerall of her hopes Unfortunate cry'd she are they that found their Desires upon the inconstancies of Fortune I grew proud in holding her by the haire and perswaded my self I might with all security resâ— me in the midd'st of her wheele having been sheltered from the Barbarismes of Traytors preserved from the Furies of the Sea and to have found so large a share in the affections of so great a Princess and now I see my selfe a new reduced to that condition that Death would be the least of my miseries How uncertaine are our Thoughts How vaine our Designes How beguiled our Hopes and how betray'd our opinions I imagined that this Grot that had hid me from the cruelty of mine enemies would have also preserved me from the cruellest blowes of Destiny I believed it had not been able to penetrate into this Cave which the Sun dares not disclose Ah me unhappy what Remedy shall I look for I have found the ill and Death hath mocked me with an appearance of Recoverie I am like those Flies which burne themselves in that fire which they believed would have cherished them But to whom profits it me to complaine since 't is in the power of this hand to release me from all the molestations of the world That woman is too much miserable that hath no other meanes to ease her of her miserie but her teares But I have a Courage to dye when I will and that envies not the constancie of those breasts that being of a less fraile Sex are judged therefore the more generous But whither doth my griefe transport my tongue and my reason make me wander For the present I ought not nor can I dye For being the Duke of Filena's I should not relinquish his Commands I ought to depend upon his will and to heare my selfe his Resolutions Others reports for the most part are either interested or careless In the affaires of Love the circumstances give and take away life When thou shalt say O Duke of Filena thou wilt not be mine When thou shalt refuse that Sacrifice thou hast of my heart then I can dispose of my selfe according to my pleasure At the present my thought could not be innocent if it should violate thy right If thou wilt have Dianea I will not oppose thee For I should love thee but a little if for my proper Interest I should deprive thee of so gratefull a thing Nevertheless I know that I offend thee making that faith dubious which I have always served with so much loyalty Thus complayning without attending the Returne of the Dutchesse as if shee hated those Roomes fearing no longer Prodirto nor the Encounters of Fortune she went forth of the Cave with the greatest anxiety that could be taking that path which to her judgement might lead her whither her heart designed her By the way she devised how she should appeare to the Duke of Filena She prepared words premeditated conceits which were by her selfe now accused as too humble and now rejected as over-rigorous Shee contriv'd if shee found her selfe despised how she should amplifie her sorrowes And meditated if accepted of by what wayes she should conceale her joy Whilst she agitated by these Passions rendred the Incommodities of her travaile more supportable Diaspe who had resolved to abandon the world and to live amidst solitudes without the disturbance of those thoughts which make us abhorre life condemning his opinion for base had hired
Being recovered he left me to my rest going forth to provide something for Supper My sleep was but for a moment for being perpetually interrupted by Dreames I could take no Repose in my bed I arose and displayed Dianea's Picture and found the water had done it no harme I conceived the Sea had done reverence to it believing it one of Venus As if I know not how every extraordinarie beauty should receive an augmentation from the Waters I began a Discourse to it with so eager an earnestnesse as if it had had not onely a power to listen to me but also to afford me an Answer My implorations were attended on by an infinitie of sighes and teares ever upbraiding my selfe with my owne unhappinesse I had season enough to account my selfe miserable supplicating mercy from a Picture I was surprized by the old man before I could sound a Retreat to my thoughts my minde was so diverted from all other things He snatched the Picture from me with such a fury as if he meant to have torne it And I think he would have done so if my Entreaties had not over-ruled him I beseeched him to pardon that which had remained uninjured by the Furie of the Sea That if he meant to destroy it lest he should become enamoured of it those eyes ought to be banished which were presumptuous to behold it Not the Picture which was immoveable and being insensible tempted no body to love He taking more disgust at these words answered me Sonne Is it possible that Sense so tyrannizes over your reason Is it possible that a piece of Art so much the more vile by how much the more common should torment the Affections of an heart that is greater then Art or Nature I blame not the Picture which is a Science derived to us from the Gods which hath power to eternize those which would not live else but by the Memorie of our eyes I finde fault with the intemperance of our pleasures the madnesse of our thoughts the blindnesse of our understanding which receives an alteration from imaginary Phantasmes feigned Apparitions or Likenesses imitated or flatter'd What would you say if this Picture should not be a Copy of Life but the conceited invention of a Pencill which without looker on had imitated the Ideas of Beauty Is it handsome then for a man to languish for the Extravagancies of a hand which more frequently imitates fancy then sense Is it fit then to submit the soveraignty of our mindes to a thing insensible which too often we deny to the Powers of heaven it self Sonne to be in love is a continuall unhappiness because Love covets subjects and renders vile And because it compares a man to a Carkasle losing the soule which flies to establish it selfe in the object belov'd To dote on a Picture is the worst of Mischiefs There is no correspondencie The delight is fixt onely in the Eyes and if we be affected it is either with that which is not or if there be any such it may be so adulterated that it would rather occasion Repentance then Love But to be enamoured of Pictures though it be a misery to one to you in particular it is portentous This which you so highly esteeme hath exposed you twice into danger of your life and will occasion you to lose it if you resolve not to relinquish it Dianea must not be yours for so the supream Will hath decreed which smiles at the ignorance of our Desires The Characters which I perceive in your fore-head of the like whereof I have had a long experience by my knowledge in the Science agreeing with the course of the Heavens deny you the Possession of her It will be a wisedome suteable to your birth which I know to be great if you would abandon this humour which is displeasing to the Gods Your perill at Sea hath proved your happinesse The Divine Will knowes how to select Antidotes out of poisons So forth of your owne Dangers doe you take notice of the power of the Stars The Venerable old man spoke these and other things with so great a gravity and so much Eloquence that he was able even to have perswaded Rocks I who had not the heart to heare him proceed beseeched him to conclude acknowledging my selfe convicted and gave him the Picture of Dianea not to beare about me the Incendiary of my Evill Within my selfe I remained astonished at the vanity of humane Affections alterable in all things but in Loves lighter then fire and more inconstant then Motion That Portraiture of Dianea which I had defended against the force of a world and the Powers of a God for which I had incensed my Brother forsaken my Father and undertaken a voluntary Exile from my Countrey I left in the hands of an old man even vvith him who had had a resolution to have torn it I abode with him some few dayes which I onely esteem of as my life being spent without any molestation He was a Prince of great descent who unwilling to suffer the miseries of humane kinde or the times was retired into those woods to enjoy himself If he would have accepted of my Company and had not perswaded me to the contrary demonstrating to me the injuries I should commit against my hopes and those who stood in need of my assistance Doubtlesse I should have continued there to have enjoyed the contentments of that place wherein a man in spight of Fortune and Envy might have been Patron of his Genius I departed thence with as much griefe as could proceed from an heart obliged I imbarqued in a Vessell bound for Negrepont when Armies and Souldiers made a Pompe of death slaughter and cruelty The griefe of my departure was allayed by the desire I had to be an Actor in those Warres accounted the greatest of the world I came to the Court where getting leave to serve as an Adventurer I fell under the Command of the Duke of Lovastine who was Generall of King Dinarderto's Forces against the warlike King of the Vesati Having there behaved my selfe not unworthy of my bloud and particularly in the Battaile of Zenilp and returning afterward to Court I was Elected by Prodirto for his Companion who after the Death of his Uncle altogether possessed the heart of his Majesty insomuch that hee solely had the Command of all things There I became enamoured of the Princesse Floridea whom although I knew not to be superiour to Dianea in perfections is neverthelesse owner of so much beautie that I was compelled to preferre her to all Dedicating my soule to her which I offered up daily to her in beholding her Truely I had never any more opportunity of disclosing my affection to the Princesse then by my eyes she being instructed by Nature as I imagine returned me a correspondency in such manner that I who had but been accustomed to love Pictures conceited my selfe to be called to the possession of all the favours of love My felicity had
the quality of the Day-flies For the Death of King Dinanderto ensuing and those Revolutions in the Kingdom which cannot but be knowne to you I could not enjoy my Loves no not in an hope When Prodirto attempted the stealing away of the Princesse I became an Agent in that businesse assenting to it having neither forces nor meanes to divert him He would have related how they arrived in Cyprus and how he having got her lost her but was interrupted by the Pilot who came to informe them that they were pursued by a Pirats Ship and that if it belonged to Mariscapi it was the lesser evill to die then to be took That he suspected it the day before for pretending to steere another way that Vessell did likewise the same That while the winde continued he made no words of it by reason that secured them from danger but perceiving it to cease within a few houres they should be overtooke Celardo and the other Knight endeavoured to allay the Pilots teares with saying That the strength of their Ship so well provided for a fight had no reason to be in feare of the power of one onely vessell But he in more terrour then before because the winde fell still answered Sirs if you were skilfull in Navigation you would not certainly have have so great a confidence That without doubt which followes us is Mariscapi's the most brave one that was ever beheld on these Seas not so much for the goodnesse of it and the strength as for the valour of the men that are within it Simple people imagine it was built by Enchantment For within the compasse of a few Moneths this most cruell man hath atchieved by force such great matters that his name is become a terrour to all that use these Seas Celardo and the other Knight grew curious to know who this Mariscapi was The Pilot after he had given directions fitting for their Defence with those preparations which are used in time of Fight said Sirs Between Sicilia and the Coast of Barbarie lies the Island of Melito Some Command there under an obligation to destroy the Pirats of these Seas more infested then others by reason they are of an easier passage and richer then other by reason of a continuall Navigation One of these is Mariscapi so named as I believe that whoever would be secure from his Treacheries should avoid the Sea He being covetous of Riches and not content in that Degree where Fortune had placed him and of Birth lesse then ordinary followes such a course of life as he himselfe will not permit to Pirats He is much worse then they for they remaine satisfied with Prizes whilst he also puts to death for feare of being discovered When he knowes he cannot conquer he counterfeits himselfe a friend and afterwards observing his Times and Occasions equally betraies all Many times he hath been taken Prisoner but hath ever had pretences to defend and enlarge himselfe and returned after with greater pride and an higher boldnesse to ransack these Islands Whilst he reported this they saw the Vessell of Mariscapi come so nigh them that the Shouts carried by the winde arrived to their eares though confused It was but of an ordinary bignesse but so well built and furnished that a whole Fleet would have found it a difficulty to have taken it With so strange a speed it plowed the Sea that it could not be discerned whether it moved the Windes or was moved by them It came to assault the ship but with little hurt although it made a Breach The fight was unequall for the ship in height surpassed the Vessell But yet the valour and cunning of Mariscapi and his Souldiers was so great that without the assistance of Celardo and that other Knight the ship had doubtless beene lost They fought smartly having for their Object the one their safety and the others the booty The Sea became red and seemed as it were that it blushed at the shamefulnesses of those men that came so wickedly to throw away way their lives Mariscapi's Men made many Thundrings from their Balista's upon the ship which by reason it was the higher there was not a blow which did not great harme On the other side those in the Vessel with their Arrows and their wild-fires made a slaughter of their enemies The fight had not been determined without the death of all if the Winde that til now had been quiet at this spectacle had not finished the Contention The Waves swell'd and the Clouds gathered they began to blow so violently that those that fought were compelled by maine force to retire The ship that was the lesse able to resist the violences of Heavens Anger perswaded the Pilot to come ashore in a Rock which was the beginning of an Island Celardo and that other knight unwilling to adventure themselves more to the inconstancy of the Sea resolved to travaile by Land untill some Accident should prescribe them what to doe Whilst they passed onward into the Island without meeting any body who could acquaint them with what they desired Celardo beseeched the Knight to make him partaker of his Adventures hee having not refused to doe the same to him The Historie of Ossirdo I Refuse not Sir Prince the Knight replyed to serve you and so much the rather because my infelicities have received originall from the Princesse Dianea who hath been also the occasion of yours Island is my Countrey an Island situated under the Artick Pole betweene Auster and Boreas neare the frozen Sea in former times for the remotenesse of it having been called the lost Island Aspane who there governes the Scepter is my Father My name is Offirdo his onely sonne beloved of the King and reverenced by the Kingdome as successour to the Crowne Having attained to that age wherein Idlenesse is wont to beget Repentance I resolved to forsake the Easinesses of my Countrey to acquire some applause from the voices of Fame Island for the remoteness of it is ignorant of the Ambition of those Monarchs who out of a Desire to enlarge their Dominions have a Courage to raise Warre against the starres My Designe being laid without further delay I put it in Execution making a Voiage to Norway where unknown I came ashore although that King was neare to my Father both by bloud and affection Continuing there some certaine dayes in Court I fixed my thoughts upon the Princess Doricia an owner of so singular Beauties that save onely in whiteness she yielded not to Dianea Nature peradventure was willing to declare that shee can exercise her wonders in all colours And that in many Objects shadowes are not at all inferiour to Lights Doricia being assured of my Affection was prodigall to me of all those favours which belong to a Princess It was an envy to those of the Court to see themselves out-stripped by one who the last of all became her servant The Duke of Gotlandia not enduring to see himselfe excluded or to
of Olano parted Celardo and Ossirdo took their way toward the City of Fessa which gives name to the Region and Kingdome and is the Metropolis of all Mauritania Arelida utterly forgetting all those sorrows which would violently have obliged her to Lamentations enjoyed the delights of that solitude which is a Paradise to those hearts that know how to enjoy it She threw to the earth the Statue of revenge raising in the place of it that of oblivion It was an old woman crown'd with Mandrakes With her right hand she held a Lynx bound and with her left a bow of Juniper She trod upon a winged boy who had his eies covered with Poppy She changed afterwards those black colours into others more cheerefull to the eye and more agreeable to the life she intended She abolished those Pictures which excited resentments of sorrow setting such in their roome as would rejoyce the sight Hares Bucks Birds and Fish rendred not there unemployed the heart or hand One day returning from hunting got something afar off from hers she espied a Knight that sighing with a continuall complaint exprest signs of a very great Passion He was all armed but his head having taken off his Helmet to take aire or to give leave to the wind to carry those signs into her face whom he loved He bore in his Shield for his Empresse some Roses with a Motto which said Life and death from the Sun She came upon him before he was aware so immovable was he become by his passions He had not so much as perceived her if Arelida had not said to him Knight it were fit you drest your selfe in my cloaths since with such Lamentations you paralell the weakness of women Tears misbecome all and especially a Knight who should not know how to complaine What can be lookt for from him who to defend himselfe from sorrow can make use of no other Armes but those which fall from the eyes put in practice by every the weakest woman The Knight blush'd at these words but with a gracious behaviour answered her Faire Lady Lamentations are not prohibited to Lovers Love exacts no other tribute but of teares and with them cannot be satiated There is not any strength of mind that can make resistance against that force which overthrows the mind Love is an oppression of the heart which receives no ease but from sighs and complaints Rather he that loves is without himselfe living in the Object beloved whereupon it is no marvell that the eyes should shed teares for the dammage of such a losse I conclude faire Lady that he cannot love that cannot lament and that the kindnesse of the eyes is an Index of the facilitie of the heart I confesse my selfe convinced by your reasons replied Arelida and entreat your pardon for my boldnesse in disturbing you and for reprehending you for a thing of which I had never any feeling I earnestly beseech you for a punishment for my errour to go to my house not farre from hence where I will endeavour to serve you as much as jesting I have offended you The Knight refused not the invitation and the rather by reason night was stolne much upon them Being asked by Arelida of the Amours that caused him to be so sad in this manner the Knight began to unfold them The History of the Stranger-Knight I Lady in little lesse than sixe Lustrums made love to many My Genius and opportunitie have made me many times fall upon objects which were unworthy of affection The first was worse than base my inclination being unable any longer to abide the provocations of sense The weaknesse of my age and the reverence of my Superiours allowed me not therefore occasion and designe to employ my selfe more worthily In this I continued but a while being interrupted by one who with a severe censure watched over the dotages of my heart I passed to the second so much exceeding the former as I found there beauty above her who out of her own choice betrayed that faith she owed to another Some years I continued in this affection both because I could not enjoy her but by stealth and because expressing for me a great kindness I conceited my selfe eternally obliged to love her I was diverted by an accident of Fortune which in amorous encounters discovered me to those eyes who could not look upon me but with scorne from them and danger to me Her tongue and authoritie employed all their power so that she recovered his favour whom she had deceived but upon condition to betray him no more This she observed inviolably whence turning sensuality into friendship I proceeded to new complacencies I met with two so singular beauties that I should imagined them from heaven if their infidelitie had not discovered their Deceits to me One that had a breast more barbarous than her name betrayed me at the beginning of my love for conceiting her beautie of the quality of the Sun she would communicate it to all The other whose name was Aura was of a mind so covetous that all the Treasures of the world were not sufficient to satiate the Abysse of her Appetites In Gold only remained the Ciments of her faith She knew no other Idoll and adored no other Deitie I took occasion to part with them both in dâ—slike being able neither to endure Rivalship nor mercinarinesse in love I was grievously fearefull to apply againe my mind to other Loves not that my sense was not assenting but not to hazard my selfe under torments for so undeserving objects I exalted my mind upon greater subjects and bestowed my heart upon those beauties which not to be termed of the world I perswaded my selfe were divine And I should never have thought otherwise of them whilest they themselves made me account them Celestiall In these pursuites I employed a whole Lustrum with so much the greater foolishnesse as hopes are more doubtfull delights more dangerous passions more vehement and the fruit for the most part falne before it be ripe They were not superiour to others neither in loyaltie nor goodnesse though they made profession of them peradventure worse but Mistrisses in the Arts of dissimulation counterfeited those qualities they had not It is true that a prohibition renders the delight the greater and that it is an instinct of our humane kind to desire greatly those things we are forbidden because Consolations are embittered so by direfull accidents that the dangers and changes do exceed the delights which may be gathered from them The examples of others directed me to get out of the way whereupon I had the Fortune to be secure with dammage to those that were endangered by it The counsels of my friends in a high manner encouraged me to that resolution which was scarce believed by those that saw it In this while I enjoyed many Mistrisses imitating the custome of the Dogs of Egypt to drinke and fly more to vent the incitements of nature than by the setled contentment of
penetrate into the originall though the simpler sort imagined it fire falne from heaven This accident neverthelesse made him not at all retard his departure for Dorcone hiring a small Vessell went aboord with all his Before he was got far from the Port he was certified of the death of Dianea He with much ado suppressing his teares began to vent a thousand imprecations against that Father who had violated Nature and thrown into oblivion the name and affection of a Father Before he would hasten the Marriners to flye from that heaven so impious that it rendred a Father an Executioner to his own Children he would understand better the particulars of Dianea's death The Count of Vafraro who had a great Acquaintance in the Court and who to that purpose was left behind by Dorcone thus gave him an account of it After the departure of your Majesty King Vassileo convoked his privy Councell whom he made acquainted with the Amours of Dianea proposing what punishment a Daughter deserved that had disobeyed her Father defamed the Kingdome and betrayed her honesty By the Councell there was two waies demonstrated to him The one of the Laws of the Kingdome which appointed her to punishment and that of the affection of his Majestie which might render her worthy of grace and pardon Both just though that of the Fathers forgiveness more proper For if he pardoned through the effects of his clemency those he did not love why ought he not to pardon her whom he should love more than himselfe Afterwards he was beseeched by all the Councell to impose upon the inconsideration of youth that punishment which the errour of the Princess merited That a Father neither ought to be a King or Judge against his Children That the old age of his Majestie required not such an affliction neither the Kingdome such a losse To these reasons King Vassileo answered that he could not distinguish between the person of a Father and that of a King That he had loved Dianea accounting her a support to his age a reputation to his house an honour to the Kingdome and a benefit to his People But she proving otherwise he was obliged to hate her That that ill which impunity might bring forth or the dissembling of his Daughters errours enforced him to condemne her else he should alwaies be held culpable of the miseries his Clemency would produce That it was more profitable for the Kingdome to have no Heires than to have them unworthy That he should immortalize himselfe more by punishing her than by seeing her a mother of many Children It being an higher reputation in a just Judge to take away the lives of his Children than to abide them culpable This said he made the Sentence of her death to be signed which she had incurred by the Laws of the Kingdome having disobeyed her Father married a Stranger and made an oblation of her selfe before the Nuptials were solemnized With a strange undauntednesse he subscribed it whence many judged him without love or that he was insensible of compassion at the miseries of his Daughter Dianea when she heard the certainty of her death and that the revocation of it depended upon the cruelty of him who was inexorable said Is it possible that an only Princesse should not obtaine a jot of pity in a Father to give her the courtesie of her life Not a jot of favour in the Councell to excuse her No whit of wisdome in her Friends to beare with her who was reverenced a little while since as the Kingdomes Heire Then by Picture were presented to her many formes of death She would not look on them saying That all deaths were equally cruell and so much the more commanded from a Father She made a little aggravation upon the infelicity of her Fortune on the inhumanity of her Father and on the cruelty of the Councell Although these words flowed forth from the Ardours of her mind she had neverthelesse so great a moderation in her sorrow that she prevaricated not into imprecations which are proper to those who looke upon death approaching She desired she might be allowed to write to her Father and it not being denied her she signed a Folio with these ensuing Characters I know not if I should write to my Father or the King both of them proving void of commiseration to sacrifice me to ignominy dispoyled altogether of that pity which resides in Regall minds and in Paternall breasts I will write only to a Father to acconsolate the horrors of an infelicious death with that name which hath had at all times the power to make me happy I shall not be so sensible Father of that hand which shall sacrifice me to death as the sense of the sorrow is insupportable to me which hath constrained you to condemne me in my life and honour I feele in me a more dolorous compassion that I have of your heart which is enforced to command the slaughter of a Daughter than I shall in the torment of the punishment for my transgression of the Laws I had rather dye a thousand times than imagine the Agonies which the errours of Dianea have brought upon you For knowing with what an excesse of affection you have been pleased to love me I know that you have in the defect of a Daughter condemned your own Innocency O just heaven O most upright Gods You that make you a mirrour of the hearts of men reveale with some resentment justifie with some realty whether I have injured my Father my Country or my selfe I love a Prince then whom hitherto Fortune hath not been able with all her Favours to forme one more great who hath delivered my Country from Traitours my Father from death and his Daughter from infamy I desire not Father to provoke your tendernesse to become pitifull by my supplication I only beseech you to consider that I have loved one whom I am not able to hate without the brand of infamy I will use no more of justification I would not pretending to be innocent make the justice of my Father for the death of his daughter appeare wicked All that is just which a Father commands I implore only a full indulgency to my Ashes that under the displeasure of my Father I may not descend also unhappy to my Tomb. Father dry away your tears For she deserves not compassion that hath incensed a Father Consolate your selfe that my misery as well brought forth the punishment as the wickednesse Adien deare Father Adieu beloved Father Forget in the Remnant of your daies this unhappy Dianea who in the period of her death shall not have an imagination more dirfull than the Remembrance of having offended you Dianea Having ended the Letter she left it unsealed And casting her selfe upon a bed she commanded the Dutchesse of Belprato she should suffer the sentence to be executed Two Salves entred the Lodgings and putting an halter of silke about her Neck they strangled her The which was also
and my Brother and that it is not buried in the ruines of my house Perchance thou hast stolne me from the Thracians because thou fearest that to torment me they had not instruments more inhumane than those of thy perfidiousnesse Wicked Traitour unfaithfull to thy Prince and heaven and thy selfe preserved till now alive to accomplish only the high judgements of the Gods who with the cruelty of the impious exercife the patience of the good I cannot conceive how the the earth rendred execrable by the excesses of thy infamies prepares not for thee at every step either a Precipice or a tombe You Thunders of Jove that exercise the furies of your anger upon towers and mountaines infensible of your chastisements why strike you not this perfidious this wicked this sacrilegious man Prodirto growne furious at these words which reproaching him for his enormities could not be but displeasing comming against her villanously gave her many blows on the face saying to her Learne impudent one to injure those who so many times have preserved thee free from wrongs Receive now the fruits of my anger having not had the will to try those of love Let your Duke of Filena come now to free you from him who hath an heart more cruell against those he hates than he hath it amiable to those he loves Enjoy now my indignation of the which I have shewed my selfe so anxious Because you have abhorred my embraces having given up your selfe to those of others Now to thy double vexation I will take them more to triumph over thy obstinacy than to gather the most vile leavings of thy immodesties Thou lyest O wicked man replied Floridea for there is not any that can boast himselfe over my honesty But it is no wonder that a Traitour should take away the fame of those Princes whom he will murther I care not that thou hatest me equally despising both thy love and hatred Distaine cruell man thy hands in my bloud For I only remaine a Remnant of the barbarismes of thy Infidelity Thou hast reason to kill me that I may not witnesse to the world that thou art the most infamous Traytour that lives Then added Prodirto interrupting her shall I neither have power nor punishment to bridle thy mordacious insolency Dares then the Temerity of an impudent woman thus far So saying he began to strike her with so much anger that the bloud ran from many places She schreeched out as loud as ever she could rather to incence him more than for any reliefe she might receive to her sorrow were she secure of her honour she would not have shewed a resentment for all the mischiefes of the world she much more feared the love of Prodirto than the offences and injuries Whilest Floridea with bitings blows words and schreeches fomented the furiousnesses of Prodirto Astidamo the Prince of Creete was brought into a griefe not inferiour to hers In a short time he was carried to Creete having in his voyage received no other discommodity than that which the absence of Dianea occasioned Hefound them just a celebrating the Funerals of his Father and Mother who both died in one day He shewed a passion only to deceive the observation of Subjects who rejoyce in the tendernesse of their Princes They seldome weepe that by the death of their Parents obtaine a Kingdome Great gainings would stop teares in the eyes of pity it selfe He suddenly appeased the alterations of the Kingdome occasioned by those who by being of the bloud royall had had ambitious hopes for the Crown The deaths of some the most culpable terrified the boldnesse of others He forgot not to exercise his mercy towards the penitency of those which ran to his feet He well knew that those Kingdomes were not stable which were builded upon bloud He had under the pretence of reducing his Subjects to obedience raised an Army worthy of his greatnesse All hastened to serve him with Armes Money and Men to gaine a place in the affection of their new Prince He thanking every one gave the highest Commands to those who had the vastest thoughts not thinking himselfe safe by leaving them in Creete lest in his absence they should attempt any Innovation Making afterwards with the greatest celerity possible all the Ships and Galleys of the Kingdome to be prepared in readinesse and embarquing all his Militia he made them direct their Prores towards the Island of Cyprus To avoid the injuries of heaven he was compelled to take land in an Island uninhabited with so much impatiency that his complaints against the aversenesses of heaven was the least of his ravings Eight daies were past wherein the sea continued his fury when a Long-Boat guided by foure Marriners who fled from shipwrack entred the Port There was within it a Knight of no ordinary presence who with two Squires rendred thankes to the Gods that they had escaped out of the hands of death Astidamo went quickly to see them and there knew the Knight who was the Baron of Cormio a Subject to King Vassileo He enquired of him the news of Cyprus and the causes of his voyage He answered That the King of Thracia being displeased at the justice of King Vassileo against his daughter was departed from Cyprus with a resolution to returne back with a powerfull Army That he had been sent in all haste into Egypt to procure Aide from that King upon any condition that he had obtained it the King of Egypt promising in less then two months either to enter into Thracia to call back Dorcone to the defence of his or else to come to Cyprus with a potent Flect That returning joyfull with this answer he had been many daies tossed by the seas against which having neither force nor instrument to resist perceiving themselves neare that Haven they were abandoned beyond the hope of Fortune who having spent all her rigours with the Ship which carried them it being swallowed by the waves afforded me here a landing place and security Astidamo could hardly suffer that he should give a period to his discourse but he asked of what justice he spoke exercised against his daughter by King Vassileo I Sir replied the Knight would not weary you with a new Relation supposing you had been fully informed of it it being every where knowne that King Vassileo understanding from his owne Daughter her self that without the assent of her Father she was denated to a Marriage he had made her be put to death in prison with a sorrow even to those who loved her not You have killed me replyed Astidamo with a report so miserable He had scarce said these words but he fell down halfe dead between the Armes of his Being returned to his senses he gave himself over to teares and lamentations with such a resentment of those that waited on him that they would have esteemed to dye the least expression of their sorrow Fortune he said how dost thou know to torment this heart which believed it selfe neare
at first he was perswaded and that the Reports of her Death were false having forgotten in a moment his passed Commotions so gave up himselfe a prey to Joy that he had like to have perished so great a swooning comming upon him that it possessed all his senses After his spirits were recovered they fell to embracings with that tendernesse of affection as their affection could expres They gazed upon one another not crediting the truth their hands nor their eyes They multiplied their embraces and kisses nor had afforded an end to those Consolations if the day being much spent they had not been come upon by the Knights who were in search for their King not without doubting some misfortune Then they redoubled their joyes his shewing Dianea to them whom with so desperate accents he had bewailed as dead They all came to kiss her hands reverencing her as their Queen With these welcomes they retired to the Fleet and the Tempest being ceased Astidamo gave order for departure But before they undertook their Voiage to Creet Dianea gave an Account how shee escaped the Anger of her Father and how she fled fram the Dangers of Death The Historie of Dianea's Escape MY Father she said was obstinate in his Resolutions to make me assent to Nuptials with the Thracian I to render him diffwaded used all those Meanes and all those Arts which were subministred tome by necessity and love All was in vain for being the more exasperated he came to force me Then esteeming silence a greater crime then the former I cast my selfe at my Fathers feet giving him a Relation of our amorus practises yet prosecuted with promise of marriage My Father altered in such manner that consigning me to the Councell he would that the Law should be observed which condemned all those to death that born of Royall bloud presumed to marry themselves For me there was no pitty Those of the Councell endeavoured all wayes to save me but they could not obtaine from the King that the Law should be altered The Dutchess of Delprato obtained through favour to be my companion in my Sepulcher They use in Cyprus and I believe it is known to you to bury those who have any Characters of Nobility in a vault under ground one or more persons of those who loved them best in life continuing there a yeare The Dutchess feigned that one of my Damsels was elected for her Companion in this Function who of Counsell in the Intention of the Dutchess deceived the Executioner of the sentence making her selfe took in my stead The Dutchess gave an apparance to the Deceit scattering so many Teares and such Sighes that they deafned the Aire She acquainted me with it just at that time wherein prepared to dye I had not an hope to comfort me She made me put on the Cloathes of the Damsels and I entred with her into the Tombe which was prepared for me The Report of my death was spread over the whole City with an universall sorrow There was not any that made doubt of it whilst my owne Father beleeved no otherwise I remained so buried many dayes with such a passion that I should rather have chosen death a thousand times Finally one night though there was never known neither Light nor day we found by chance a secret Portall which led into a Grot. Having lighted a Torch we walked to see the end It brought us into a field neare the Sea shore there finding by chance a Vessell which was upon saile we went toward Creet with the thought of finding you Fortune that knowes to shew her selfe an Enemy to the most just desires made us fall into the hands of Traute a Pirate He scarce saw me but he had a designe of me believing me Daughter to the Dutchess for such I alwayes gave out my selfe A great deale of his fiercenesse being layed aside he requested my affection with such humility that I wonder in my selfe how for love he could be separated from himself I inanimated by his humiliations entreated him for a time to be able to dispose of my self to his will Having obtained this occasion of delay I got the Dutchess to speake to one of the Pyrates who next to the Traute was in chiefe Command Our enterprise being in good order and our hopes agreeing the Dutchels taking Pilane aside for so was the Pyrate named she said to him Son I will not speake at large because time permits me not I would not that my tongue should make jealous so many eyes and so many eares as observe us My daughter is ardently enamoured of you she hath perceived that you have not disdained to looke on her with some liking whereupon she gives you to understand that she will rather make an election of death than consent to be anothers She beseeches you therefore if her affection be pleasing to you to defend her from the violences of Traute He dayly assaults her and if your valour doth not oppose it he will shortly use force Then henceforward it will be your thought to prepare a defence for those things which are dedicated to you and not to staine your honour with the infamy That things recommended to your protection should become a prey to the insolency of others These words in such manner won possession over the heart of Pilane that he answered Mother I thanke you for the occasion you have presented me to quiet my heart which already I have sacrificed to the beauties of your daughter If Traute will contend with me for her he shall prove what the force in the breast of a Lover can do In this meane while to avoid the injuries of heaven and the sea which threatned death to the most dauntlesse we retired into this Island in a Port unhabited Here was a Supper prepared where all the Pyrates sat downe willing also that we should sit when they were full of meat and wine they fell into a thousand dishonesties and Traute by force cast his armes about my neck espying me neare him Pilane plucked him back by the arme saying to him Traute That prey belongs not only to you which is made common to all At thy pleasure thou shalt be Patron of the things which belong to thy part not of those which not being divided appertaine to all you have been chosen the head but not a Tyrant and you not observing the Laws of your election neither am I bound to observe those of obedience Traute not accustomed to injuries being enraged by wine threw at him a great Bowle of silver saying to him So the rashnesse of those is to be corrected who refuse to obey This offence was not without resentment because Pilane who stood upon warinesse wounded him with a knife in the breast and killed him The others suddenly betooke them to Armes and they being almost all overcome with wine their stroakes were not but mortall I then said to the Dutchess Mother Let us go hence not to remaine a prey to the
expecting death After the imprisonment of Viralto he gave the Command of the Army to the Count of Salinera who for wisdome and affection had few Equals in the service of his Prince The Count having regard to the weaknesse of his men had no other thought but to defend the Wells from assaults He had neither Forces nor the boldnesse to joyne Battail with them who rendred audacious by Victory and their number boasted themselves invincible The great abundance of Provision that was within Arsinoe suffered not the besieged to feele the incommodities of a siege On the other side the Thracians being become secure by the dauntedness of their enemies wore away all their dayes in Chases or Banquets One day the two Princes of Missia and Epirus the Infante of Macedonia with many others of the chief of the Army met together in the Scythian Kings Pavilion Heated with meates and Wine they fell into divers Discourses How much the more Fire is supprest so much the more it operates with greater force Some proposed what was the most unbeseeming thing for a Knight The doubt displeased not because there was not any that feared to have in himselfe any thing unworthy of a Knight The Opinions were as various as were the Genius's and the humours of those that discoursed The Scythian accommodating his words to his heart said To flye from Dangers is the indeleble blemish of a Knights Reputation Who would not encounter death hath not an undauntednesse who hath not that feare and who feares is base and Cowardile is that which above all things is contrarie to the Glories of a Knight A Knight ought not to suffer injuries no not from those who are much his Superiours in Fortune If he encounters not dangers to prepare a Revenge he blemishes his name with notes of Infamy VVhen perils enforce a Knight to make Resistance it is pure necessity not valour He ought to exceed others who would be greater then others He that with a virile leasâ—reness waits that Fortune should present him Subjects to trie himselfe is obliged to Fortune not to himselfe Even Cowards sometimes will maintaine a Bussle In briefe the animosity to create perils is the prime glory As to attend that Chance should deliver a City into his hands is the mightiest shame to a Knight Even the Sun would merit Reproaches if with a precipitate and continuall motion it should daily seek for dangers among shades In atchieving is honour and in things hard by others immortality The Infante of Macedonia said That so high Rewards being due to faithfulness he could not perswade himselfe that more blameable things could be in a Knight then infidelity This would soile the lights of the Sunne not onely the Actions of men An unfaithfull man is abhorred by all because all feare his Treacheries Faithfulness is a thing sacred the first daughter of Jove the honour of men and of the gods Without this neither the earth nor the sea would enjoy any peace It is a particular Deity which resides silently in those breasts that possesse it A man otherwise void of this may be termed a Carkasse And lesse he is more vile then nothing The Dammages of Infidelity are much more mightier then that which can be conceived in the minde or expressed by the tongue The Count of Tinia would that it should bee Ingratitude And what other said he can contaminate the birth and the vertues of a Knight but Ingratitude abominable in all A Knight is elected to chastise those that acting ungratefully offend Heaven Nature and their Friends Now how much the mightier will his Reproach be when he falls into that vice the Trespasses against which he is made choice of to punish All other faults carry with them some excuse or some Appearance of Reason Onely Ingratitude hath no pretence that can excuse it hath no reason that can defend it It is a vice so detestable that it becomes even odious to those that exercise it Whoever is unthankfull is unsaithfull be-because he rebels against those obligations which he owes to the favours of others He is cruell because he torments the Liberallity of those to whom he is knowne beholding In summe all Vices are seen in ingratitude and therefore an unthankfull Knight is unworthy of the name of a Cavalicre The Baron of Cardia maintained that Cruelty was the most blame-worthy thing in a Knight Cruelty he added is the most certaine Portent of or Folly or of Covetousnesse To be short all Vices are Vices but Cruelty holds the preheminence It spoiles unbowels unsoules the world It is the worst of all things by reason that from it all the worst things proceed Who is cruell is vile a desire of Blond not reigning but in those Bosomes which are corrupt He is an enemy of Nature since he procures the Destruction of his owne species He offends the Gods that with pitty onely have gained divine Attributes He injures himselfe because by the death of others he robs himselfe of those Duties which would have afforded him a superiority among others Lastly he is the worst of Animals the which although they be void of Reason are not neverthelesse without pitty The Prince of Missia with his usuall mordacity said That Love was the most detestable thing in a Knight This cried he is that that disturbes the Intellect that contaminates the Reason that tyrannizeth over the Will and that makes a man different from himselfe Who loves betraies himselfe in the tyranny of a face who knowes not to obey any thing but affections nor knowes not to be faithfull but to those who alwayes betray Love is a species of Infamie since it subjects the will of that heart to the which the Gods have prescribed no lawes but voluntary The Prince of Missia ushered in these Reasons with a laughter repleat with contempt holding his eyes continually fixed upon the Prince of Epirus He who in his owne conceit was lost in love thought that those words wounded his Reputation so much the more because upon him all their looks were cast as upon himalon who was subject of this Discourse He having no longer sufferance to see himselfe injured interrupting him said to him Prince of Missia if your declare your Opinion without thought to wrong me I shall take no Resentment at it because the Table even permits those things which should not be spoke If I have loved in Excess I repent not because my Affections have not been unworthy VVho is so bold to reprehend me lies and peradventure blames love because he is unworthy to be beloved Declare your selfe then because I am not accustomed to be reproached and in particular by you in these Errours The Prince of Missia answered I spoke by Chance dictated by Reason But that you should not believe that I say this for fear of your Anger I will make it good with my sword that having loved without Moderation you have done a thing unworthy of a Knight and therefore merited for it
of their perill began in a great measure to calme their anger But their miseries were redoubled on them when they were certified that Fire had taken possession of their Fleet. Such a multitude of Galleys were on a sudden come upon them that the Thracians not having time to weigh Anchor or to retire into the Sea were become a prey to fire which in a mightie quantitie was thrown upon them Although the distance was of many miles those terrours were neverthelesse heard which declaring the burning rendred the dammage irreparable Their feare was encreased upon them when they understood that the enemies who had made the fire in a grand number being landed were marching thence to fall upon them This was Astidamo King of Create who joyfull that he had found her alive without whom he could not live had resolved to returne into his Kingdome Whilest they were in their voyage by asking after newes they understood the destruction of the Kingdom of Cyprus made by the Thracians That all the firme land of the Island being lost Arsinoe only held out besieged by so many Armes and so many Armies that it could but a little longer resist the force of so many enemies That the Armeniuns the Scythians the Macedonians with many other Princes had declared themselves against King Vassileo and to their detriment had raised Money and Souldiers Dianea at these newes was not able to stop her teares that in abundance fell to vent forth the passion of her mind casting her selfe at the Kings feet she said to him I supplicate Astidamo over whom my affection presumes to find some desert Sir If I should not love my Father I were unworthy to be yours and in the same time to live You your self would but be a shadow of that heart that had not affections for him who hath given me my being If I had no other reason to love him I have that of his begetting me to be yours His having condemned me to death alters not my love I rather glory to be daughter to a Father who had rather punish his Child than derogate from Justice That mind should not be but celebrated which condemnes it selfe not to leave Crimes unpunished At this present that he is exposed to the invasion of Barbarians to the power of the Thracians who boast to impose servitude upon Cyprus I beseech you by that affection that interests you to afford aide to my affaires which at other times you haue not known how to refuse to him Permit not O magnanimous that these wicked ones should vaunt to have the Father of her Prisoner to whom you have acknowledged your self so many times a Prisoner Besides how could you rejoyce in my embraces which would be continually sadded by my feares I need not add that the Kingdome of Cyprus is mine after the death of my Father because where my entreaties prevaile it is not fit that Interest should plead a Title So much the rather because the greatness of your mind receives not an alteration from those lownesses that reign only in vulgar bosomes I know if Cyprus should fall under the subjection of the Thracians Creete would not be secure from the ambition of those who would enlage the mightinesse of their Empire beyond the Confines of the World But of this also I need not use a word to that heart which hath never been capable of feare and which rejoyces that others conquer to make his own triumphs the more glorious Let this only be an Adjunct to the immortality of your name that you have twice delivered Cyprus from the barbarismes of the Thrasians and given twice life to a King when he the least hoped for it and least deserved it Dianea hath never entreated Astidamo without being heard I assure my selfe the more in it because I supplicate for a Father Astidamo embraced her saying to her Dianea I was unwilling to interrupt you extreamly rejoycing in your piety The tendernesses shewed toward your Father confirmes my opinion that you know how to love I glory that the heavens have vouchsafed me the possession of a mind which forgets not the Obligations of Nature Not to have a memory for injuries is proper to your generosity The wrongs a Father doth should not beget anger in those that receive them The earth at no time hath reason to complaine of the Lightnings that Jove throws on it I will go to the succour of your Father because it is not convenient that any beloved by you should be in danger to be lost I know that beauty will carry felicity into that Kingdome which undergoes so many miseries only by reason of your absence He speedily commanded that their Voyage should be directed towards Cyprus Fame giving out that having obtained a Wife he went to get possession of her dowry To the Souldiers he promised the spoyles of the Thracians proposing one other intervall to the victory but till he met with the enemy Favoured by the Sea and the Winds they arrived upon the Fleet which under the Command of the Count of Brandilia was dispersed into the Ports without feare and without defence The Thracians beheld at one and the same time the Fire Armes and Death The Count was busie in play with all the other prime men that had Command in the Fleet in a Galley far distant from the rest Being informed of the fire not willing to leave off play he being a winner commanded it should be quenched supposing it kindled by accident through the carelessnesse of the Galeyots or Marriners Being assured the Navy was assaulted by enemies now perswaded the winds could not have such force he would not nevertheless stir until the violence of the fire represented the inevitable danger to him Then necessity rendring him a certainty of his neglect he consented not to retire or flye much more fearing the displeasure of the King than death Perceiving the flames unextinguishable and defence impossible he commanded his Galleots they should charge upon one of those Galleys whilest he himselfe resolved to dye on the weapons of some worthy person There was not any there that would understand or that would obey him Feare had so daunted the minds of them all that to avoid the fire they leapt out to swim finding no defence but in desperation The slaughter was great whilest both Elements conspired to the dammage of the Thracians Astidamo victorious without delay made his Souldiers go a Land understanding by his Scouts the discord that was in the Campe in the Enemies Army heightning his courage he said to his On O valorous Let us pursue the Victory Here is neither danger nor labour in assaulting those who are overcome by their own discords Being at division among themselves they will bring confusion and terrour among themselves They were infinite in number but there hath hapned such a slaughter among them that they will not any more have strength to make resistance The prime Chieftaines that rendred that Army formidable are killed by
because a Father is condemned in the guiltinesse of a Daughter But where is Astidamo to whom we professe our selves doubly engaged both for your preservation and my life To this purpose I came to the Navy We are a severe Judge but not an ingratefull Prince Dianea replying the same sollicitousnesse not knowing what was become of Astidamo began to suspect some ill She used all diligence to have a certaine account Many of the chiefe spred themselves through the field to direct them the way when they were turned aside by the slaughter of their enemies Others with lighted Torches disquieted the dead with a feare to find him whom they sought for The night was much spent when the report was that Astidamo was found dead not far off of the field Feare carried the newes of it to the eares of Dianea who with an inquietude equall to the love she bore him gave command that the authors of the report should be found she heard too much of that she would not from two Souldiers who had found him by chance and were come thence to acquaint their Captaines with it His death divulged and the night assisting these cruelties rather amplifying into worse all that Fame delivered there was to be seen in the faces of all signes of sadnesse and displeasue The voices of the Souldiers were in such wise heated that abandoning their Rankes and not obeying their Officers they knew not what else to do but with horrible exclamations to lament and sigh There neither Ostentation nor Adulation had place for they felt a mightier passion in their soules than they could express with tears The Army now appeared a Desert for silence now an hell for the cries that were heard there All the Souldiers in Armes with lighted Torches roared out the world was ruined all their hopes were destroyed with a behaviour so licentious that King Vassileo was in some hazard of his life Dianea after the manner of one distracted ran crying Where art thou O friend Who hath had the presumption to ravish thee from me You tutelar Gods of Cyprus how have you a sufferance at these injuries which this death hath administred Is this the recompence he receives for his Labours his Assistances his Love Most unjust heaven since that evermore against him thou hast produced maligne Influences O inconstant Fortune what availes it me to have escaped from the anger of thy punishment to have falne into the hands of him whom I adored to have delivered my Father from his enemies and my Country to have obtained a pardon for the errours of my heart to have twice beheld the destruction of the Barbarians if finally these joyfull remembrances serve to no other purpose but to infelicitate me Unhappy Astidamo dead without the last embracements of Dianea But how could he have been able to endure the presence of her who hath been the cause of his death To save my Father I have killed him Then could not I gaine my Father without the losse of my Husband nor enjoy my Spouse without the losse of my Father O rigours of Destiny O inexorable necessities of Fate Trust your selves O mortals in the graces of that blind Goddesse that affords prosperities to the end that with greater oppression we may receive her discourtesies I having freed my Father seen the Thracians destroyed and having attained to the Title of the Queen of Creete and of Princess of Cyprus beleeved I was not subject to the instability of her inconstancies But these highnesses have proved no other but instruments to precipitate me the more So saying she arrived where Astidamo lay Then redoubling her teares and sobs it seemed that her heart would issue through her eyes or that she would altogether distill her selfe into teares She said sometimes when her lamentation allowed her an intervall Unhappy Dianea who could have presaged to thee an object so infelicious The feare of Lovers which presents to the Intellect things which befall not under sense could not no not by the assistance of sleep could not have presented Scenes so unlucky Who could have made my eyes beleeve thy presence would have proved offensive O beloved O delighted in O desired Astidamo I should number up thy beauties and thy perfections ravished from me in that time wherein I chiefly hoped to enjoy them but I will not render the Parcae more proud of so worthy a Rapine Pardon me if having a mind to follow thee I rob from thy memory the due Tribute of my teares 'T is true I ought to love life only to bewaile thee but I know the Recordancie of thy vertues have no need of Commiserations who knows not eternally how to lament Astidamo will weare the brand of the punishment not to have known him With these and the like conceits Dianea bemoaned her selfe not permitting that her words should come forth but accompanied with teares and sighs That hot humour which bubled from her eyes falling upon the face of Astidamo gave some spirit to him whereupon opening his lips languishingly he sent forth a sign Dianea perceiving that messenger of life using violence against her griefe that rendred her desperate having tooke some part of comfort began to say to him Beloved Astidamo observe the Exequies which Dianea celebrates to thee with lamentation Friend abandonate not Dianea for Dianea will not forsake thee alive or dead Astidamo opened his eyes but was againe enforced to close them made heavy and troubled by wearinesse and the abundance of bloud he had lost The Chirurgions came who found his wounds perilous but not without hope of life They only bound them up applying Remedies and Lenitives to the sword of the Thracian to the astonishment of those who knew not the secrets of Nature and the power of Sympathy Wounds are healed with medicining the sword of him that made them without the paine of the patient and without the violences of those remedies which render a thousand times to the Infirme death desirable He was brought into Arsinoe upon the armes of his Being left to repose the Physitians commanded that he should not be disquieted for any accident whatsoever Dianea notwithstanding would waite at his bed all the remainder of the night Ever and anon she stole to the Curtaines doubtfull of some new fainting and fearing lest Destiny againe should ravish him from her He languished between sleeping and waking and it was neare upon day when he had not opened his eyes neither had any knowledge where he was nor of who attended on him His voice was languishing and imperfect so that his words proceeded so ill composed that they were hardly distinguished by eares the nearest to him As soon as he could discerne Dianea who by maine force kept back her teares he said to her Friend do not doubt of my life For I cannot dye having you neare me Afterwards understanding the destruction of the Thracians obtained with little losse to his and the discourse of King Vassileo with Dianea in a great measure he gathered strength and gave signes of recovery The Chirurgions having found in the Armes all the best tokens promised him sound within the space of a few daies The people then and the Souldiers receiving a certainty of this gave themselves up to rejoycings Some walked to the Temples to render thanks to the Gods Others seeming mad for joy ran up and downe the streets Divers studied Epithalamiums and Panegyricks Many prepared for Banquets All finally embracing their Friends and rehearsing to others that which all knew redoubled their Consolations Yet there was not any that equalled the mind of King Vassileo and of Dianea The first time the King visited Astidamo he said to him Friend The affection you beare this house doth not allow me the occasion to passe into the duty of an excuse Who knows how to oblige without hope of reward can also suffer ill satisfactions without disdaine I make preparations for the Nuptials of Dianea not to give you that which is yours but that in the celerity you might take knowledge of my heart So the Espousals were hastened on with that solemnity which is proper to so grand Princes There was not a Pompe that could be equalized to this The superbiousnesse of Asia and the rarities of Africa here demonstrated the extreames of their power In the Temple of Venus the Ceremonies were celebrated Afterwards attended by all the people they returned to the Palace wearing away many daies in Banquets and Turnaments Their rejoycings were afterwards redoubled in the Child-bed of Dianea she was delivered of two Sons who for valour and beauty need not envy their Parents Dianea being accounted of as an heaven would also emulate it in Twins I remit the relation of their glories to the Genius of some pen more sublime FINIS